VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Inflation in Laos increased to 25.6 per cent year-on-year in July from 23.6 per cent in June, according to the latest report from the Lao Statistics Bureau.
The higher prices of fuel and consumer goods and the continuing depreciation of the Lao currency kip are among the main factors driving the inflation.
Rising oil prices are impacting the transport price index, causing an increase in the price of goods that depend on fuel for their production or transport.
According to the report, costs in the communications and transport category rose by 1.1 per cent month-on-month and 53.2 per cent year-on-year in July.
Prices in the goods and service category surged by 25.6 per cent year on year.
The cost of medical care and medicines increased by 8.7 per cent month on month and 30 per cent year on year.
The cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 5.2 per cent month on month and 21.6 per cent year on year.
Meanwhile, the cost of clothing and footwear rose by 0.2 per cent month on month and 16.9 per cent year on year.
Prices in household goods rose by 1.1 per cent month-on-month and 22.4 per cent year on year.
The cost of the hotel and restaurant category rose by 0.8 per cent month-on-month and 19 per cent year-on-year.
The cost of housing, water, electricity and gas category surged by 0.6 per cent month on month and 19.7 per cent year on year, according to the report.
