Tokelau’s Debut Annual Inflation Measure

Tokelau’s Debut Annual Inflation Measure Shows 0.5 Percent Increase For the Year to June

The consumer price index (CPI) for Tokelau increased 0.5 percent for the year to the June 2013 quarter, the Tokelau National Statistics Office said today. This is the first annual inflation measure that Tokelau has produced.

“Samoa and New Zealand are two of Tokelau’s major import markets. New Zealand reported muted consumer inflation for the year to June, but Samoa was a slightly different story. Samoa reported a small decrease in prices for its imported goods – this is a market from which Tokelau purchases many of its household goods. Both have helped to keep Tokelau’s annual inflation at a low level,” National Statistician Mr Lui said.

“The Tokelau National Statistics Office has been strongly supported by Statistics New Zealand in its on-going CPI work. We are very thankful for their assistance as we work together for a self- sustained CPI in Tokelau.”

The largest group contribution to the annual increase of 0.5 percent came from the miscellaneous goods and services group, up 4.7 percent. The key individual upward contribution came from higher prices for rice, up 41.4 percent.

The only group to make a downward contribution was the non-alcoholic beverages and tobacco group, down 1.6 percent. The key individual downward contribution came from lower prices for washing powder, down 44.7 percent.

In the June 2013 quarter, CPI fell 1.2 percent. The main downward contribution came from the food and non-alcoholic beverages group (down 2.3 percent).

The key individual downward contribution came from lower prices for noodles, down 33.3 percent. Lower prices were also recorded for cigarettes (down 2.6 percent), canned fish (down 17.1 percent) and sausages (down 8.1 percent).

Countering these decreases, prices rose for rice (up 38.0 percent), milk powder (up 27.3 percent), sugar (up 10.5 percent), and petrol (up 4.6 percent).

Tokelau is one of the world’s most geographically isolated countries, and home to 1,411 people. The CPI measures the rate of price change of goods and services purchased by Tokelau households.

Further information on the CPI, including tables and technical notes, is available from

http://TokelauNSO.tk

ENDS

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