Taiwan - Mfumuko wa bei

The annual inflation rate in Taiwan rose to 0.59 percent in November of 2019 from a revised 0.38 percent in the previous month and below market expectations of 0.68 percent. It was the highest inflation rate since June, as prices increased further for food (1.86 percent from 1.64 percent in October); education & entertainment (1.22 percent vs 0.92 percent) and health (1.07 percent vs 0.76 percent) while transport & communication cost fell at a softer pace (-2.14 percent vs -3.18 percent). On the other hand, prices slowed for housing (0.33 percent vs 0.34 percent); miscellaneous goods & services (1.0 percent vs 1.17 percent) and clothing (0.54 percent vs 1.31 percent). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices dropped 0.1 percent, after decreasing 0.4 percent in the previous month.

Consumer prices in Taiwan increased 0.39 percent year-on-year in October of 2019, below 0.43 percent in each of the previous two months and compared to market expectations of 0.47 percent. A slowdown was seen in cost of food (1.65 percent compared to 1.97 percent in September), housing (0.34 percent compared to 0.37 percent) and health (0.76 percent compared to 0.9 percent) and cost of transportation & communication fell further (-3.15 percent compared to percent -2.71 percent). On the other hand, prices increased faster for education and entertainment (0.95 percent compared to 0.93 percent) and miscellaneous (1.17 percent compared to 1.15 percent) and rebounded for clothing (1.31 percent compared to -0.98 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices dropped 0.35 percent.

Taiwan's inflation rate was unchanged at 0.43 percent year-on-year in September 2019, below market expectations of 0.53 percent. Food prices increased 1.97 percent, compared to 2.35 percent in August, boosted by fruits (7.34 percent vs 3.57 percent), vegetables (2.37 percent vs 14.56 percent), fish & seafood (1.85 percent vs 2.11 percent) and meats (0.68 percent vs 0.50 percent). Additional upward pressure came from housing (0.37 percent vs 0.47 percent), health (0.90 percent vs 0.80 percent), education & entertainment (0.93 percent vs 0.35 percent), and miscellaneous (1.15 percent vs 0.78 percent). In contrast, prices fell for transportation & communication (-2.71 percent vs -2.44 percent) and clothing (-0.98 percent vs -0.81 percent).

Taiwan's annual inflation rate edged up to 0.43 percent in August of 2019 from a revised 0.38 percent in the previous month, missing market consensus of 0.69 percent. Prices advanced faster for food (2.35 percent vs 1.67 percent in July); miscellaneous goods & services (0.78 percent vs 0.11 percent) and household appliances (0.12 percent vs 0.03 percent) while clothing cost declined at a softer pace (-0.80 percent vs -1.21 percent). On the other hand, prices slowed for housing (0.47 percent vs 0.56 percent in July) and entertainment (0.48 percent vs 1.12 percent) while cost declined for transport & communication (-2.44 percent vs -1.35 percent) and water, electricity & gas supply (-0.93 percent vs 0.01). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices went down 0.07 percent, following a 0.02 percent decrease in July.

Taiwan's annual inflation rate fell to 0.40 percent in July 2019 from a revised 0.85 percent in the previous month, missing market consensus of 0.81 percent. Prices rose at a slower pace for: food (1.71 percent vs 3.36 percent in June), such as meats (0.49 percent vs 0.81 percent), fruits (5.61 percent vs 14.72 percent) and vegetables (6.83 percent vs 20.05 percent); housing (0.56 percent vs 0.65 percent); education & entertainment (0.68 percent vs 0.91 percent); and health (0.57 percent vs 0.71 percent). In addition, transportation & communication costs declined further (-1.28 percent vs -1.19 percent) on the back of fuels & lubricants (-4.21 percent vs -4.22 percent), transportation fees (-1.62 percent vs -0.49 percent), and communication fees (-3.49 percent vs -3.46 percent). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices edged up 0.01 percent.

The annual inflation rate in Taiwan fell to 0.86 percent in June of 2019 from 0.94 percent in the previous month and in line with market expectations. Prices slowed for housing (0.69 percent vs 0.90 percent in May); education & entertainment (0.91 percent vs 1.02 percent); miscellaneous goods & services (0.07 percent vs 0.09 percent) and health (0.71 percent vs 0.93 percent). Additionally, cost continued to decline for transportation & communication (-1.19 percent vs -0.11 percent) and clothing (-1.42 percent vs -1.06 percent). On the other hand, food prices went up faster (3.36 percent vs 2.58 percent). Annual core inflation, which excludes fruits, vegetables and energy edged down to 0.48 percent from 0.60 percent in the prior month. On a monthly basis, consumer prices advanced 0.34 percent, accelerating from a 0.06 percent rise in May.