Consumer price index inches up by 3.77% in first quarter
VOV.VN - The consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.77% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year, with core inflation standing at 2.81%, reported the General Statistics Office (GSO).
March alone saw CPI fall slightly by 0.23% month on month. Seven of the 11 categories of main consumer goods and services witnessed monthly price declines, while four experienced higher prices.
The GSO cited a number of major factors behind the increase, including the rising price of housing and construction materials at 0.29%, which fueled the CPI up by 0.05%.
The statistics office also clarified a number of major reasons behind the decrease, including a 1.19% monthly drop in the price of food and foodstuff due to low demand after the Lunar New Year festival, while the supply of goods remained abundant.
In the basket of goods and services that make up the CPI, prices rose in rice at 21.71%, electricity at 9.38%, water at 10.58%, education at 9.02%, and medicine and medical services at 6.51%.
To cope with surging inflationary pressure, the Government has ordered ministries, sectors, and localities to introduce viable policies and bold measures to minimise the adverse impact on socio-economic development.
