ISLAMABAD: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has recorded an increase by 9.1 percent on year-on-year basis in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 8.7 percent in the previous month and 10.2 percent in March 2020 mainly due to increase in prices of food items, fruits and clothing and footwear, says the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

According to the monthly review on price indices by the PBS on month-on-month basis, the CPI increased by 0.4 percent in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 1.8 percent in the previous month and an increase of 0.02 percent in March 2020.

The National Consumer Price Index for March 2021 is increased by 0.36 percent over February 2021 and increased by 9.05 percent over corresponding month of the last year i.e. March 2020.

The CPI inflation urban, increased by 8.7 percent on year-on-year basis in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 8.6 percent in the previous month and 9.3 percent in March 2020. On month-on-month basis, it increased by 0.3 percent in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 2.3 percent in the previous month and an increase of 0.1 percent in March 2020.

The CPI inflation rural, increased by 9.5 percent on year-on-year basis in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 8.8 percent in the previous month and 11.7 percent in March 2020. On month-on-month basis, it increased by 0.5 percent in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 1.1 percent in the previous month and a decrease of 0.1 percent in March 2020.

The Sensitive Price Index (SPI) inflation on YoY increased by 18.7 percent in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 11.9 percent a month earlier and an increase of 11.8 percent in March 2020. On MoM basis, it increased by 5.7 percent in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 3.1percent a month earlier and a decrease of 0.3 percent in March 2020. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation on YoY basis increased by 14.6 percent in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 9.5 percent a month earlier and an increase of 9.3 percent in March 2020. WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 3.7 percent in March 2021 as compared to an increase of 2.2 percent a month earlier and a decrease of 0.9 percent in corresponding month i.e. March 2020.

Measured by non-food non-energy urban increased by 6.3 percent on (YoY) basis in March, 2021 as compared to an increase of 6.4 percent in the previous month and 7.4 percent in March, 2020. On (MoM) basis, it increased by 0.2 percent in March, 2021 as compared to increase of 1.1 percent in previous month, and an increase of 0.3 percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. March, 2020. Measured by non-food non-energy Rural increased by 7.3percent on (YoY) basis in March, 2021 as compared to an increase of 7.7percent in the previous month and 9.4percent in March, 2020. On (MoM) basis, it increased by 0.3percent in March, 2021 as compared to an increase of 0.5percent in previous month, and an increase of 0.6percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. March, 2020.

Measured by 20percent weighted trimmed mean urban increased by 8.1percent on (YoY) basis in March, 2021 as compared to 7.9percent in the previous month and 8.7percent in March, 2020. On (MoM) basis, it increased by 0.4percent in March, 2021 as compared to an increase of 1.0percent in the previous month and an increase of 0.3percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. March, 2020.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021