Inflation up on Bonaire and Saba

In the third quarter of 2013, inflation was 1.8 percent on Bonaire and 1.4 percent on Saba. These rates were higher than in the previous quarter. On St Eustatius, inflation was down slightly, at 1.7 percent.

Inflation in the Dutch Caribbean

Inflation rises to 1.8 percent on Bonaire

On Bonaire, inflation rose to 1.8 percent in the third quarter of 2013, 0.3 of a percentage point higher than in the previous quarter. The increase was mainly caused by higher prices of recreation and culture. Prices of household appliances also had an upward effect on inflation. Prices of transport, on the other hand, pushed down inflation.

Slight fall for inflation on St Eustatius

Inflation on St Eustatius fell slightly, to 1.7 percent in the third quarter. This does not mean that prices in general fell, but that the year-on-year increases were smaller. In the second quarter inflation was still 1.8 percent. Food, household appliances and furniture cost less. Prices of hotels and restaurants also pushed down inflation. On the other hand, the prices of electricity had an upward effect. These prices went down in the third quarter but by far less than a year before.

First rise in one and a half years for Saba inflation

On Saba, inflation rose for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2011, to reach 1.4 percent in the third quarter. This is 0.4 of a percentage point higher than in the second quarter. Just as on St Eustatius, electricity prices pushed up inflation. But on Saba, higher food prices also had an upward effect.

Gert-Jan van Steeg

Source:

• StatLine, Inflation Dutch Caribbean
• Inflation Bonaire from 1973
• What is inflation?

This article is also available in Papiamento.