Consumer Price Index and inflation rate in China - statistics & facts
Inflation denotes the increase of price levels over a certain period of time. The level of inflation is expressed in the inflation rate, which is an important indicator of economic development and is hence closely scrutinized by decision makers in public and private entities. Inflation rates may refer to any kind of prices, but most commonly used are inflation rates related to prices for consumer goods and services, as these prices reflect the cost of living for the average population.
Over the last two decades, the inflation rate in China ranged at a low and stable level, averaging 2.4 percent annually. This was the lowest level of inflation of all BRIC countries and differed only moderately from the inflation rates of developed countries. However, since accounting methods vary, the low Chinese inflation figures may not adequately display the rise in cost of living felt by many people living in China’s fast-growing cities and urban areas.
The consumer price index in China
National inflation rates are commonly based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the respective country. The CPI is an economic indicator that measures changes over time in the price level of a representative basket of consumer goods and services for a defined population and geographic region. The Chinese Consumer Price Index is calculated by the National Bureau of Statistics of China on a monthly and annual basis. It covers the prices of goods and services of 268 basic divisions grouped into eight categories, which represent the living consumption of urban and rural residents.Over the last two decades, the inflation rate in China ranged at a low and stable level, averaging 2.4 percent annually. This was the lowest level of inflation of all BRIC countries and differed only moderately from the inflation rates of developed countries. However, since accounting methods vary, the low Chinese inflation figures may not adequately display the rise in cost of living felt by many people living in China’s fast-growing cities and urban areas.
