CPI in the first three quarters of the year increased by 3.88%, education and health services increased at the top

Medical service prices are adjusted according to the circular of the Ministry of Health and health insurance increases according to the basic salary. In the photo: Procedures at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: BONG MAI

The General Statistics Office has just released a series of data related to the economic situation of the first three quarters of 2024. In particular, the consumer price index (CPI - measuring price changes) has many notable points.

Why did the price indexof education and medicine - health services increase sharply?

In the past three quarters, the consumer price index - CPI - increased by 3.88% compared to the same period last year. By industry group, except for post and telecommunications, which decreased (due to the price of old-generation phones falling when businesses launched incentives to stimulate demand), all 10 other industries increased in price.

Accordingly, the two groups of education and medicine - medical services increased the most with 7.51% and 7.46% respectively, nearly twice as high as the general CPI level.

Regarding the reason, the General Statistics Office explained that in the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, some localities increased tuition fees according to resolutions of provincial people's councils.

At the same time, medical service prices are adjusted according to Circular No. 22 of the Ministry of Health and health insurance increases according to the basic salary.

In addition, the index of housing - electricity - water - fuel - construction materials... group is also on an upward trend (+5.33%). In the context of increasing house rental prices, electricity prices...

Due to the increase in domestic rice prices following the export rice prices, natural disasters, storms and floods, increased consumer demand during holidays and Tet, along with the increase in pork prices, the price index of food and catering services also increased significantly (+4%).

Groups that increased below the general CPI include: beverages and tobacco, culture - entertainment - tourism, transportation, clothing - hats - footwear, equipment and household appliances.

Consumer Price Index - CPI	3.88
Education	7.51
Medicines and medical services	7.46
Other goods and services	6.42
Housing, electricity, water, fuel and construction materials	5.33
Food and beverage services	4
Drinks and tobacco	2.45
Culture, entertainment and tourism	1.89
Traffic	1.87
Clothing, hats, shoes	1.48
Household appliances and equipment	1.22
Post and telecommunications	-1.19

Inflation under control

On average, in the first three quarters of 2024, core inflation increased by 2.69% over the same period last year, lower than the average CPI increase.

"Mainly due to the prices of food, foodstuff, electricity, education services, medical services and gasoline are factors that increase the CPI. But they are in the group of goods excluded from the list of core inflation calculations," the General Statistics Office explained.

The General Department also said that the cooling of world inflation has affected Vietnam's inflation. At the same time, our country's inflation "is controlled at an appropriate level to support economic growth".

Recently, the Government and the Prime Minister have proactively, resolutely, and closely directed ministries, branches, and localities to implement many solutions to remove difficulties, promote growth, maintain macroeconomic stability, and control inflation.

By ensuring smooth supply, circulation and distribution of goods and services. Reducing lending interest rates, stabilizing the foreign exchange market. Promoting public investment disbursement. Deploying credit packages to support industries and sectors.

Reduce value added tax on some groups of goods and services. Reduce environmental protection tax on gasoline. Exempt, reduce, and extend taxes, fees, and land use fees to support businesses and people.

Organize and closely monitor supply and demand and prices of essential goods to have appropriate management measures.

In particular, in the context of the serious consequences of Typhoon Yagi, in some places there were times when items such as vegetables, fruits, and food were scarce, leading to local price increases. The Government and the Prime Minister promptly directed the strengthening of the supply of essential goods to serve people affected by storms and floods, promptly overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, promoting the recovery of production and business, and actively promoting economic growth. Since then, commodity prices have quickly returned to pre-typhoon levels.

With the above actions, the General Statistics Office assessed that "the prices of goods and services in the market generally do not fluctuate abnormally, inflation is under control".

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cpi-3-quy-dau-nam-tang-3-88-giao-duc-va-dich-vu-y-te-tang-top-dau-20241011165521209.htm