According to the September 2014 Monthly Bulletin released by the Zambian Central Statistical Office (CSO), the country’s annual inflation rate decreased from 8.0% in August to 7.8% in September.
The 7.8% refers to the Zambia Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures changes over time in the general level of prices of goods and services that households acquire for the purpose of consumption, with reference to the price level in 2009 (base year 2009 =100).
Between September 2013 and September 2014, the annual rate of inflation increased for alcoholic beverages and tobacco; clothing and footwear; furnishings, household equipment, and routine house maintenance; and miscellaneous goods and services.
The annual rate of inflation decreased for food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; transport; communication; recreation and culture; and restaurant and hotel.
The annual Food inflation rate was recorded at 6.9%, decreasing by 0.1% compared to August 2014, while the annual non-food inflation rate decreased by 0.3% during the same period and was recorded at 8.8%.
The total monthly inflation rate decreased from 0.7% in August 2014 to 0.2% in September 2014, decreasing by 0.5%.
The monthly Food inflation rate for September 2014 was recorded at 0.2% compared to -0.9% in August 2014; while the monthly non-food inflation rate for September 2014 was 0.3% compared to 0.4% in August 2014.
