Prices increased in August by 0.3 per cent, reflecting a seven point movement in the Consumer Price Index for the month, and pushing inflation to 4.7 per cent for the calendar year to date.

But while prices climbed higher than the 0.1 per cent outturn in August 2005, the inflation rate was considerably lower than the 8.7 per cent recorded over the comparative eight-month last year.

Inflation point to point was 8.4 per cent.

Towns outside of Kingston

The August movement in prices lifted the CPI from 2394.5 to 2401.9, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reported on Thursday, resulting mostly from price increases in the main towns outside of the Kingston metropolitan area which grew by 1.1 per cent.

Prices were flat in rural areas, but moved by 0.1 per cent in the capital.

Food and drink continue to record the largest movements, increasing by 0.5 per cent within August, as did healthcare and personal expenses, and transportation, while household furnishings and furniture rose by 0.4 per cent.

The index for housing and household expenses, however, declined over the month by 0.6 per cent.