Overall consumer prices rose 4.9% year-on-year in December, down from November's 5.1% increase, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.
Netting out the effects of all Government one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 3.1% compared to 3.3% in November.
Year-on-year increases were recorded for electricity, gas and water, housing, alcohol and tobacco, meals bought away from home, food, transport and miscellaneous goods.
Year-on-year decreases were recorded for durable goods, clothing and footwear.
The department noted that inflation eased further in December, reflecting slower year-on-year increases in food prices and larger declines in the price of clothing and footwear, durable goods, and motor fuel.
Looking ahead, upside risks to inflation are limited in the near term, as the softening trend in global food and commodity prices should keep external price pressures in check.
