The nationwide CPI decreased by 0.23% in March.

In the first quarter of 2024, the CPI increased by 3.77% compared to the same period last year. (Illustrative image.)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March 2024 decreased by 0.23% compared to the previous month; and increased by 3.97% compared to the same period last year. For the first quarter of 2024 as a whole, the CPI increased by 3.77% compared to the same period last year.

Of the 11 main consumer goods and services categories, 7 saw price decreases and 4 saw price increases compared to the previous month.

Specifically, the price index for food and beverage services decreased by 0.76% compared to the previous month, contributing to a 0.25 percentage point decrease in the overall CPI. The price index for beverages and tobacco decreased by 0.07% compared to the previous month, following the trend of reduced consumption after the Lunar New Year, with the price of alcoholic beverages decreasing by 0.23%.

The price index for clothing, hats, and footwear in March 2024 decreased by 0.06% compared to the previous month due to warmer weather in the northern provinces and people tightening their spending after Tet. The price index for transportation also decreased by 0.03%; postal and telecommunications services decreased by 0.01%; education decreased by 0.29%; and culture, entertainment, and tourism decreased by 0.12%.

Conversely, the price index for housing and construction materials increased by 0.29% compared to the previous month, contributing 0.05 percentage points to the overall CPI; the household equipment and appliances group increased slightly by 0.01%; the medicine and medical services group increased by 0.02%; and the other goods and services group increased by 0.06%.

Compared to the previous month, the domestic gold price index increased by 4.59% and the US dollar price index increased by 0.88%.

Source: https://baodienbienphu.com.vn/tin-tuc/kinh-te/214088/cpi-ca-nuoc-thang-3-giam-023