Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, increased to 1.7 per cent in February 2016 from -0.7 per cent in January 2016, on year-on-year basis. The main contributor towards the increase in year-on-year inflation was the Non-food category, with substantial increases observed in Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco; Clothing and Footwear; Furnishing, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance; Heath; Transport and Miscellaneous Goods and Services sub categories, which surpassed the overall price decline observed in the food category in the NCPI.

The change in the NCPI measured on an annual average basis decreased to 2.6 per cent in February 2016 from 2.9 per cent recorded in January 2016.

Inflation, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (2013=100), which is compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, decreased to -0.7 per cent in January 2016 from 4.2 per cent in December 2015, on year-on-year basis mainly due to the higher base of the corresponding period in 2015. Annual average NCPI inflation decreased to 2.9 per cent in January 2016 from 3.8 per cent recorded in December 2015.