Cellular usage will be included in the new method for measuring the cost of living.

"This is one of the new items included in the structure of the basic basket, which now accounts for 440 products, instead of the 422 in the current Consumer Price Index (CPI), calculated monthly by the National Statistics Institute, " reports Prensalibre.com.

Source: prensalibre.com

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Guatemala: Inflation Reaches 4.91% in January

February 2011

The CPI had a January cumulative monthly variation of 0.83% and an inter-annual variation of 4.91%.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the statistical tool used to measure inflation in the country's economy, based on prices observed in the referenced month.

Of the 26 products included on the Basic Food Basket, 17 raised their price, six fell and three remained the same, as of January 2011.

El Salvador Changes CPI Calculation

February 2010

The Economy Ministry announced changes to the way in which the Consumer Prices Index is calculated.

For calculating the index, the base year used to be 1992, but will now be changed to 2009.

“Those in charge of the change explained they took into consideration that the average Salvadoran family now consumes far more goods and services than before”, reported Elsalvador.com.

Changes in Consumer Basket in El Salvador

December 2009

The country's new Consumer Prices Index will come into effect in the first months of 2010.

As consumption changes, authorities have decided to modify which goods are included in the basket used for measuring consumer prices.

"Héctor Dada Hirezi, Economy minister, explained they are close to announcing the new Consumer Prices Index (IPC), which would be implemented next year", reported Laprensagrafica.com.

Consumer habits change in El Salvador.

August 2008

The mechanism for measuring prices will include a greater focus on those products that carry more weight in household expenses and a reduction of the importance of the weight of the others.

For example, the importance of food and non-alcoholic drinks has varied since the start of the process in 2005.