Prices 0.6 percent higher than in the month of November 2018; Inflation in December 2018 is 2.6 percent

WILLEMSTAD - The consumer price index (CPI) of Curaçao rose by 0.6 percent in the month of December 2018, from 130.0 in November to 130.8 in December.

The most important price changes during the past month (December 2018) are the cost of electricity (+ 8.6%) and the cheaper price of kerosene (-12.5%)

The CPI of December 2018 (130.8) is 3.6 percent higher than the CPI of December 2017, when a CPI of 126.3 was measured. This figure (+ 3.6%) is an indication that the consumer price level during the month of December 2018 was 3.6 percent higher than during the month of December 2017.

Measured over the twelve months up to and including December 2018, compared to the same period a year earlier, prices have risen on average by 2.6 percent. The 12-month average CPI has evolved from 125.5 in December 2017 to 128.7 in December 2018.

The inflation figure of December 2018 (2.6%) is a reflection of the inflation for the entire year 2018 and is the result of the price development of the 9 spending categories. This price development is illustrated in the graph.

The inflation in Curaçao in December 2018 and the whole year 2018 is therefore 2.6 percent. Since the inflation figure (2.6%) is an indication of the increase in the cost of living, it is recommended as an indexing tool for salaries, pensions, social benefits, and other income.