Latest figures from Statistics Mauritius are quite alarming. The cost of living in Mauritius is on the rise since the past few months, with nearly nothing being spared. Let's have a look at what's most expensive.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) went from 106.1 points in December 2020 to 108.5 points in March 2021. This is a 2.4 points or 2.3% rise. From January to February, the CPI rose 0.9 points, and from February to March, there was a rise of 0.6 points. Besides, the inflation rate reached 2.5% in December 2020, compared to 0.5% in France, 0.9% in the United Kingdom and 0.0% in Japan.
This is making things worse for families in Mauritius, considering different factors such as the rise in the unemployment rate, job insecurity, wage cuts, etc.
What has become most costly?
At first glance, the highest prices rises were those of food and alcoholic drinks. For example, vegetables cost 21.7% more and cooking oil costs 17.9% more. The prices of rice, fruits, culinary herbs, sweets and ice cream, biscuits and margarine also rose considerably. Alcoholic drinks and tobacco cost 0.5% more. The price of whiskey, for example, rose by 3.4%, and that of wine rose by 4.0%.
Prices of furniture and other home accessories and cleaning products are also up 3.4%. Laundry products and fabric softeners, for example, cost 6.8% more. Furniture shows a 2.6% price rise. It's also worth noting that the prices of domestic services are up 5.0% since December 2020.
But that's not all! Today, you also have to spend more on private medical consultations. Indeed, their rates are up 5.3%! The prices of some medication have also increased. As a result, there's an overall price rise of 2.7% on health services.
Many other products and services have also become more expensive. For example, the overall cost of vehicles and accessories has gone up 0.1 points and that of personal hygiene products too. Health insurance is 2.7% more expensive compared to previous months. Regarding take-away meals, cakes and snacks, prices are up 0.7% and 0.9% respectively.
The price of petrol on the rise
Earlier this month, the Petroleum Pricing Committee announced a rise in the price of petrol. So petrol currently sells at Rs 48.40 per litre instead of Rs 44. But the price of diesel remained unchanged at Rs 35.00. It's worth noting that petrol prices haven't changed since June 2019.
