Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) has released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2011. The CPI for the month of March 2011 stood at the same level as that in February that is, showing no increase. However compared to CPI in March 2010 it shows an increase of 1.7%. 
  
     A comparison of the CPI for March 2011 with that of February 2011 shows that although at the overall level, the CPI remained at the same level, at major group level, there were some changes in prices: Prices of the medical care group went up by 1.2%, and that of food and beverages group were up by 0.8%. These increases were however offset by the decline in housing rent (0.4%) and Entertainment, Recreation and Culture group by (0.6%).Compared to the CPI of March 2010, the increase works out to 1.7%. Analysis by major groups shows increases in the prices of all groups with the exception of rent as follows: Prices in the clothing and footwear group, went up by 8.6% , transport and communications, 6.2%, Miscellaneous Goods and Services, 5.2% and Food & beverages group, by 5.2%. Prices in the group of Rent declined by (5.1%). A CPI exclusive of the Rent group has also been calculated. After eliminating the effect of rent, the overall index shows an increase by 0.1% compared with February 2011, and an increase of 4.7 % compared to the month of March 2010. A quarterly index has also been computed. The average CPI for the first quarter reached 108.5, showing an increase of 1.3% over the previous quarter (fourth quarter 2010) and an increase of 1.7% over the corresponding quarter of 2010. Most of the increases is in the group, clothing & footwear, food & beverage, transportation, Miscellaneous Goods and Services, and the decline in a house rent. Exclusive of the rent, fuel and energy group , the overall index shows an increase of 2.1% compared to the previous quarter (fourth quarter 2010) and 4.8% when compared to the corresponding quarter (first quarter 2010). This data and other statistical data and indicators are available on QALAM: www.qix.gov.qa.
 For more details: Press here - Monthly CPI 2010- 2011