The general annual consumer price index in Dubai decreased by 2.64% during April compared to the same period in 2020, as a result of falling prices in four commodity groups. The Dubai Statistics Center reported yesterday that prices in the housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel categories dropped by 8.42%, reducing the index by 3.42 points. Additionally, food and beverage prices fell by 4.76%, decreasing the index by 0.66 points, while tobacco prices decreased by 0.55%, and health prices fell by 0.04%.
The report added that, conversely, several categories saw price increases: transportation prices rose by 12.86%, adding 1.28 points to the index; clothing and footwear prices increased by 2.90%, adding 0.06 points; restaurant and hotel prices went up by 0.82%, contributing 0.04 points; furniture and household items, including repairs, saw an increase of 0.58%, adding 0.02 points; while recreation and culture prices rose by 0.62%, adding 0.01 points; communication prices increased by 0.19%, contributing 0.01 points; education prices rose by 0.14%, adding 0.01 points; and miscellaneous goods and services increased by 0.08%.
Moreover, the overall monthly consumer price index in April 2021 rose by 0.17% compared to March 2021, driven by price increases in transportation by 2.43%, contributing 0.27 points; clothing and footwear by 5.61%, contributing 0.11 points; recreation and culture by 0.79%, contributing 0.02 points; food and beverages by 0.05%, contributing 0.01 points; communication by 0.06%; and tobacco by 0.01%. Meanwhile, prices in the housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel categories decreased by 0.56%, reducing the index by 0.22 points, while furniture and household items, including repairs, saw a decrease of 0.17%, reducing the index by 0.01 points; miscellaneous goods and services dropped by 0.15%, reducing the index by 0.01 points; restaurant and hotel prices declined by 0.08%; and health prices fell by 0.04%. Education prices remained stable during the comparison period.
