Translated by Tamara Barakat

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) announced that the consumer price index (CPI) increased in 2015 in comparison with 2014 by 1.43%, with an increase by 1.77% in the Gaza Strip, 1.29% in the West Bank, and 0.33% in Jerusalem.

The CPI is considered the main measure of inflation, or the measure of changes in prices in a certain country. It is also called the cost-of-living index.

The PCBS explained in its report on the cost-of-living index in Palestine in 2015 that the main reason behind the increase in prices is the 1.90% increase in prices of food commodities and soft drinks, which form 35% of the Palestinian consumer’s basket.

In this regard, it explained that the prices of fresh vegetables increased by 12.82%, the prices of fresh meat increased by 12.38%, the price of rice increased by 9.13%, and the prices of oils and fats increased by 1.53%, despite the drop in tuber prices by 12.18%, fresh egg prices by 7.17%, fresh fish prices by 7.06%, flour prices by 4.01%, dried vegetable prices by 2.43%, fresh poultry prices by 0.52%, and fresh fruit prices by 0.40%.

The report also indicated that the prices of cigarettes increased by 11.09%; the prices of imported cigarettes increased by 15.62%, while local cigarette prices increased by 2.76%. The price of education services increased by 4.89%. Moreover, the prices of goods and services in the field of clothing, footwear, and textiles increased by 4.75%, and the prices of medical care services increased by 1.05%.

On the other hand, the prices of housing services decreased by 5.64%. The prices of liquid fuels used at homes decreased by 15.73%, and gas prices decreased by 14.44%. The transportation services also witnessed a decrease by 1.00% in prices. The prices of liquid fuels used by cars decreased by 14.38%. 

(Palestine Economy Portal)