CPI nationwide in March decreased by 0.23%

In the first quarter of 2024, CPI increased by 3.77% over the same period last year. Illustrative photo.

The consumer price index (CPI) in March 2024 decreased by 0.23% compared to the previous month; increased by 3.97% compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter of 2024, the CPI increased by 3.77% compared to the same period last year.

Of the 11 main consumer goods and services groups, 7 groups decreased in price and 4 groups increased in price compared to the previous month.

Specifically, the price index of food and catering services decreased by 0.76% compared to the previous month, causing the overall CPI to decrease by 0.25 percentage points. The price index of beverages and tobacco decreased by 0.07% compared to the previous month following the rule of decreased consumption after Tet, in which the price of alcohol and beer decreased by 0.23%.

The price index of the garment, hat and footwear group in March 2024 decreased by 0.06% compared to the previous month due to the gradually warming weather in the northern provinces and people tightening their spending after Tet. The price index of the transport group also decreased by 0.03%; the post and telecommunications group decreased by 0.01%; the education group decreased by 0.29%; and the culture, entertainment and tourism group decreased by 0.12%.

On the other hand, the price index of the housing and construction materials group increased by 0.29% compared to the previous month, increasing the overall CPI by 0.05 percentage points; the household equipment and appliances group increased slightly by 0.01%; the medicine and medical services group increased by 0.02%; and the other goods and services group increased by 0.06%.

Compared to the previous month, the domestic gold price index increased by 4.59% and the US dollar price index increased by 0.88%.

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