5 December 2014 | Comments
December 2014
The Quarterly Statistical News Bulletin for December 2014, covers the period July to September, and contains updates for the annual rate of Inflation of the Retail Price Index, Income, Imports, Estimated Population and Arrivals to St Helena. The bulletin is available on the SHG website at: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/statistics
Annual inflation of the St Helena Retail Price Index (RPI) stood at 2.4 per cent in Quarter 3 2014 – an increase of 0.5 per cent from the previous quarter. The major upwards pressures are an increase in electricity tariffs and also the price of purchasing and importing a vehicle to St Helena.
In the third calendar Quarter of 2014, the number of people on Island averaged 4,442 and the average St Helenian population was 4,029. Compared to the same period in 2013 this represents a 5 per cent increase in total population.
Passenger arrivals to St Helena in the first half of financial year 2014/15 are essentially unchanged from the previous year. An increase in RMS passengers has balanced a decrease in the number of overnight visitors from yachts and other vessels. There has been a 30 per cent, 168 bed-night, increase in the number of excursion visitors staying on-Island during the eight-night turn around of the RMS to Ascension Island. A 25 per cent, 230 person increase, in the number of day-visitors from cruise ships is also noted during the same period.
This Quarter, the Statistical Bulletin contains an article from the Government Economist, Ian Smyth, giving his view on some relevant economic issues from the UK and South Africa which may have an effect on the St Helena economy.
Ian said:
“St Helena has always been affected by global economic conditions, particularly those in the UK and South Africa. While nobody can predict the future with complete confidence, being aware of how external influences can impact the St Helena economy is more important than ever. This helps both Government and the private sector to prepare to take full advantage of the major economic opportunities that are approaching.”
If you have requested a copy of this bulletin via email and have not yet received it, please contact the Statistics Office on 22138, or e-mail statistics@sainthelena.gov.sh
SHG
5 December 2014
Comments