Macau’s inflation rate in 2017 was 1.23%, reflecting a slowdown in price growth registered since 2014, when inflation reached 6.05% and 4.56% and 2.37% in the following years, according to the Statistics and Census Bureau.

The 1.23% increase was driven by the rise in the price of meals purchased outside the home, men and women’s footwear and outpatient consults, as well as school fees, the Bureau said.

Year-on-year inflation of 2.04% over December 2016 was due to an increase in the prices of meals purchased outside the home, men’s and women’s footwear and outpatient consults, as well as a rise in parking meter tariffs and school fees.

The rise of 2.04% in December was the highest increase in 2017 and the highest rise since July 2016, according to the Statistics and Census Bureau.

Prices rose in by 3.25% from November to December due to the launch of winter clothing lines, tour prices and salaries for domestic workers. (macauhub)