Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) has released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December 2012. The CPI for the month of December, 2012 was 112.5, showing an increase of 0.1% when compared to the CPI of November 2012, and a 2.6% increase when compared to the CPI of December, 2011.   A comparison of the CPI of December, 2012 with that of the previous month (CPI of November, 2012) by major groups, features increases in three groups: “Rent, Fuel & Energy”, by 0.9% , and “Furniture, Textiles and Home Appliances” and “Transport & Communications”, by 0.1% each. On other hand, drop in prices were noted in several groups: Prices of “Entertainment, recreation and culture” by 0.7%, “Garments & Footwear” and “Miscellaneous goods and services” each by 0.4%, “Food, Beverages & Tobacco” by 0.3%. The year-on-year comparison, comparing the CPI of December 2012 with that of December 2011, shows increases of 2.6% at the overall level. Increases were recorded in all the major groups. The highest increases were recorded in the groups: “Entertainment, recreation and culture” :5.3% and “Miscellaneous goods and services” :4.2%, “Rent, Fuel and Energy :2.8%, “Furniture, Textiles & Home Appliances” and “Transport and Communications”: 1.9% each ,“Food, Beverages & Tobacco”:1.5% ,“Garments and Footwear”:1.2%. A CPI exclusive of “Rent, Fuel and Energy” group has also been calculated. After eliminating the effect of rent, the overall index reached 124.2, showing a decrease of 0.2% compared to the CPI of November 2012, and an increase of 2.5 % when compared to the month of December 2011.     More details on consumer price indices are available on QALM: www.qix.gov.qa