FX.co ★ Taiwan Inflation Rises to 1.31% in December

In December, Taiwan's annual inflation rate rose to 1.31%, up from November's 1.23%, marking the eighth consecutive month it has remained below the central bank's 2% target. The rise in the inflation rate was mainly due to increased prices in education and entertainment, which climbed to 1.69% from November's 1.25%, as well as in miscellaneous goods and services, which rose to 3.34% from 2.84%. There was also a recovery in clothing prices, moving up to 0.98% from a previous decline of 0.13%. Housing prices stayed constant at 1.86%. On the other hand, the rate of price increase decelerated for food, down to 1.24% from 1.48%, and for health care, which decreased to 1.53% from 1.87%. Furthermore, transportation and communication prices experienced further declines, dropping to -1.36% from -1.15%. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, consumer prices edged up by 0.14% in December, following a 0.09% rise in November.