Purpose
The CPI is Jamaica's official measure of inflation. It provides an indication of how prices change over time by tracking price movements for goods and services commonly purchased by households.
What the CPI Measures
The CPI monitors price changes of items across 13 divisions, including:
- Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages
- Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics
- Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels
- Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance
- Transport
- Health
- Education
- Clothing and Footwear
- Information and Communication
- Recreation, Sport and Culture
- Restaurants and Accommodation Services
- Insurance and Financial Services
- Personal Care, Social Protection and Miscellaneous Goods and Services
Survey Type: Establishment Survey
Release Frequency: Monthly
Key Outputs: Consumer Price Index (CPI); Monthly Inflation Rate; Point-to-Point Inflation Rate; Consumer Price Index Bulletin; Statistical Tables
Why the CPI Matters
The CPI is a key economic indicator that supports informed decision-making by government, businesses, researchers, and the public. It is used to measure and monitor inflation; track changes in the cost of living; support monetary and fiscal policy decisions; inform wage and salary negotiations; adjust pensions, contracts, and other indexed payments; and guide business planning, pricing strategies, and economic analysis.
