The consumer price index (CPI) in August stayed almost unchanged from the previous month as a result of mixed trends in goods and consumer service prices, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The prices of food and foodstuffs and house renting fees in August rose compared to July but the prices of fuel in the domestic market dropped following the global prices, the GSO reported on September 6.

However, the CPI in August surged 1.89% compared to last December and 3.45% against the same period last year.

During the first eight months of the year, the CPI increased 4.04% year-on-year.

The growth was attributed to higher prices of food and foodstuffs, household electricity, educational and health services, among others.

The eight-month core inflation expanded 2.71% year-on-year, still lower than the CPI growth.