The consumer price index (CPI) for May showed an increase of 0.16% over April and a year-on-year surge of 0.95%, the General Statistics Offices (GSO) said on May 24.

The rise in May’s CPI is mainly due to the hike in petrol price on May 5. Photo: VNA

Hence, average CPI in the first five months of 2015 increased 0.83% compared to the same period last year.

The rise in May’s CPI is mainly due to the hike in petrol price on May 5, which contributed to a 0.08% increase in the CPI.

The rise in electricity price in March plus surging electricity use due to hot weather also pushed the CPI up by 0.11%.

Seven out of 11 main commodity groups in the CPI baskets showed price increase, led by housing and building materials, which jumped 1.27% since last month.

A 1.02% increase was seen in transport service; 0.13% for home appliances; 0.39% for cultural, entertainment and tourism; and 0.17% for goods and other services.

Only restaurant and catering services had a price reduction, which was 0.22% compared to April.

(Source: VNA)