In May 2017, the consumer price index (CPI) went up by 1.5 percent year-on-year. The prices grew by 1.7 percent in cities and 1.1 percent in rural areas. The food prices went down by 1.6 percent, and the non-food prices decreased 2.3 percent. The prices of consumer goods went up by 0.7 percent and the prices of services grew by 2.9 percent. On average from January to May, the overall consumer prices were up by 1.4 percent from the same period of the previous year.

In May, the consumer prices decreased 0.1 percent month-on-month. Of which, prices decreased 0.1 percent both in cities and rural areas. The food prices went down by 0.7 percent, and the non-food prices remained at the same level. The prices of consumer goods decreased 0.2 percent, and the prices of services increased 0.1 percent.

I. Year-on-Year Changes of Prices of Different Categories

In May, prices of food, tobacco and liquor, went down by 0.5 percent year-on-year, affecting nearly 0.15 percentage points decrease in the CPI. Of which, the prices of eggs, went down by 14.4 percent, affecting nearly 0.08 percentage points decrease in the CPI; meat, went down by 7.8 percent, affecting nearly 0.39 percentage points decrease in the CPI (price of pork was down by 12.8 percent, affecting nearly 0.38 percentage points decrease in the CPI); fresh vegetables, down by 6.3 percent, affecting nearly 0.15 percentage points decrease in the CPI; fresh fruits, up by 5.9 percent, affecting nearly 0.10 percentage point increase in the CPI; aquatic products, up by 6.9 percent, affecting nearly 0.12 percentage points increase in the CPI; grain, up by 1.4 percent, affecting nearly 0.03 percentage points increase in the CPI.

The prices of all the other seven categories increased. Of which, the prices of health care increased 5.9 percent, other articles and services increased 2.9 percent, education, culture and recreation increased 2.6 percent, residence increased 2.5 percent, clothing, transportation and communication, household articles and services, increased 1.3, 1.1 and 1.0 percent respectively.

II. Month-on-Month Changes of Prices of Different Categories

In May, prices of food, tobacco and liquor decreased 0.4 percent month-on-month, affecting nearly 0.13 percentage points decrease in the CPI. Of which, prices for fresh vegetables, went down by 6.2 percent, affecting nearly 0.14 percentage points decrease in the CPI; eggs, down by 3.4 percent, affecting nearly 0.02 percentage points decrease in the CPI; meat, down by 1.8 percent, affecting nearly 0.08 percentage points decrease in the CPI (price of pork was down by 2.9 percent, affecting nearly 0.08 percentage points decrease in the CPI); fresh fruits, went up by 4.2 percent, affecting nearly 0.08 percentage points increase in the CPI; aquatic products, up by 1.2 percent, affecting nearly 0.02 percentage points increase in the CPI.

Among the prices of the other seven categories, four increased and three decreased. Of which, the prices of health care increased 0.4 percent, household articles and services, clothing, residence increased 0.2, 0.1 and 0.1 percent respectively, transportation and communication, other articles and services, education, culture and recreation decreased 0.3, 0.2 and 0.1 percent respectively.