Bureau of National statistics
Agency for Strategic planning and reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan
In March 2024, the monthly consumer price index slowed down and amounted to 0.7% (in February of this year – 1.1%). Prices for paid services increased by 1.1%, food products - by 0.6%, non-food products - by 0.5%.
In the field of housing and communal services, tariffs for sewerage increased by 6.1%, electricity - by 5.9%, cold water - by 4.4%, central heating - by 2.4%, hot water - by 2.3% . Hotel services increased in price by 1.7%, catering – by 1.2%, hairdressing salons – by 0.8%.
Food prices increased noticeably for fruits and vegetables, including apples by 4.7%, grapes, carrots - by 2.7% each, and white cabbage - by 1.4%. Price increases were noted for granulated sugar by 3.2%, eggs – by 1.5%, fermented milk products – by 1.3%, drinking milk, bread – 0.9% each. Cucumbers fell in price by 7.1%, sunflower oil – by 5.7%, onions – by 5%, buckwheat – by 3%.
Price increase in March of this year noted for small electrical appliances by 3.5%, furniture and household items – by 2.5%, used cars – by 1.7%, textiles – by 0.6%.
Among the regions, the highest monthly inflation was registered in the Pavlodar region - 2.1% (above the republican average by 1.4 percentage points), the lowest - in the Turkestan region by 0.2%.
By region, prices for food products increased the most in the Zhetisu region by 1.1%, non-food products - in Shymkent city by 1.2%, paid services - in the Pavlodar region by 5.8%.
Inflation in March 2024 on an annualized basis amounted to 9.1%. Prices for paid services increased by 13.2%, non-food products - by 8.2%, food products - by 6.9%.
Compared to March 2023, tariffs for sewerage increased by 42%, cold water - by 36.5%, central heating - by 33.2%, hot water - by 31.9%, garbage removal - by 30.7%, electricity - by 26.1%. Prices for acetylsalicylic acid increased by 61.9%, paracetamol - by 47.4%, activated carbon - by 32.7%, fenistil New Drops - by 24.9%. Grapes rose in price by 40.4%, white cabbage - by 25.9%, rice - by 22.7%, eggs - by 19%, apples - by 18.3%. On the contrary, in annual terms, onions fell in price by 45%, buckwheat – by 25.1%, sunflower oil – by 24.6%, granulated sugar – by 10.1%.
The consumer price index, which characterizes the level of inflation, is calculated monthly. Observations are carried out on tariffs and prices for services and goods, for a total of 508 items. Dynamic changes in inflation can be viewed on a specially designed interactiveyes board , which covers indicators starting from 2018.
« The Bureau calculates the indicator monthlyconsumer price index, characterizing the level of inflation. We are observing changes in tariffs and prices for services and goods for a total of 508 items. Price registration is carried out for a selective network of trade and service enterprises of various forms of ownership in all regional centers, the capital and a certain circle of cities and regional centers ,” explains the director of the Department of Price Statistics of the Bureau Kuanyshbek Zhakypbekuly.
*From January 2024 when constructing the consumer price index, the share of food products is 42.0%, non-food products – 29.8%, paid services – 28.2%.
