Inflation on Dutch Caribbean islands further down
The inflation rate on the Dutch Caribbean islands was substantially lower in the second quarter of 2012 than in the first quarter. In the first quarter, the inflation rate had also fallen. The rate on Bonaire was 3.0 percent; on St Eustatius and Saba, the rates were 5.3 and 3.9 percent respectively in the second quarter.
Prices food and home furnishing articles curb inflation on Bonaire
Inflation on Bonaire was 3.0 percent in the second quarter of this year, versus 3.6 percent in the first quarter. The decline is predominantly due to the fact that prices of food and home furnishing articles have risen less rapidly than in the first quarter. Food prices were on average 6.0 percent up from one year previously, versus 8.9 percent in the first quarter. Clothes were cheaper in the second quarter than in the second quarter of 2011.
Inflation Bonaire
Lower electricity prices on St Eustatius
The inflation rate on St Eustatius stood at 5.3 percent in the second quarter, as against 6.6 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Lower electricity prices mainly account for the decline. As a result, housing costs and water and energy prices were only 1.5 percent up in the second quarter from last year’s second quarter. With 16.2 percent, the price increase in the first quarter was much more substantial. Petrol and car maintenance prices also had a downward effect on inflation. The costs of transport were 2.8 percent up in the second quarter from one year previously, versus 8.9 percent in the preceding quarter.
Inflation St Eustatius
Electricity prices push down inflation on Saba
The inflation rate on Saba was 3.9 percent in the second quarter of 2012, versus 5.6 percent in the first quarter. On Saba, lower electricity prices were also the main cause for the lower inflation rate. Housing costs and water and energy prices were 2.3 percent down from last year’s second quarter. In the first quarter, prices were 7.5 percent higher than in the same period last year. Food prices also had a downward effect on inflation. Although food prices were 9.5 percent higher in the second quarter than a year ago, the price increase was less dramatic than in the first quarter (14.5 percent).
Inflation Saba
Some figures referring to the situation in the first quarter of 2012 on Saba were adjusted compared to earlier published figures as a result of information received later. Figures over the first quarter are now definitive. Figures over the second quarter of 2012 are provisional and will become definitive when figures over the third quarter of 2012 are published.
Source: StatLine: Dutch Caribbean
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