CPI rises 3.53% in 2017

The inflation of 2017 was 3.53%

Of this, prices of medicine and health care services recorded the biggest increase at 2.55%, in which health care services soared 3.3% because this month, 15 provinces and centrally-governed cities adjusted prices of medical services.

The transport group climbed 0.84% and clothes, hats and footwear surged 0.43% as a result of rising demand of shopping in winter, while beverage and cigarette increased 0.17%, and housing and building materials went up 0.22% due to price hikes in gas, water and electricity.

On average, CPI of the whole year increased 3.53% against 2016, below the National Assembly’s target of 4%. The price index of December 2017 also rose 2.6% compared to the same month last year.

Higher medical services fees, higher tuition fees, some market factors and many provinces being affected by natural disasters and unfavourable weather also led to higher CPI this year, GSO said./.