Overall consumer prices rose 3% in March over the same month last year, slightly down on February's 3.1% figure, the Census & Statistics Department said today.
Netting out the effects of the Government's one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 2.9%, also smaller than the February figure of 3.1%.
Year-on-year increases were recorded for food, housing, miscellaneous services, meals bought away from home, miscellaneous goods, transport, alcohol and tobacco, and electricity, gas and water.
Year-on-year decreases were recorded for durable goods, and clothing and footwear.
The department said inflationary pressure remained moderate in March as the faster increases in food prices amid bad weather conditions earlier this year receded.
The upside risks to inflation remain limited in the near term as external price pressures stay tame amid low global inflation. Local cost increases will likely be restrained by the subpar economic conditions and retreat in rental cost pressures, it added.
