QUARTERLY STATISTICAL NEWS BULLETIN

May 2014

The Quarterly Statistical News Bulletin, published today (27 May 2014) covers the period January- March 2014 and contains updates for the annual rate of inflation of the St Helena Retail Price Index (RPI), Income and Imports figures, Estimated Population and Visitor arrivals.

Annual inflation of the St Helena Retail Price Index stood at 0.9 per cent in Quarter 1 2014 – essentially unchanged from the previous quarter. There was a 0.5 per cent increase in the RPI (the overall cost of the ‘St Helena Shopping Basket’) from Quarter 4 2013 to Quarter 1 2014, following two consecutive Quarters where the RPI decreased.

The St Helena resident population continues to grow. In the first quarter of 2014 the population was estimated to stand at a little over 4,500. This is due to an increase in both temporary and permanent residents and extended visitors. The St Helenian resident population is also continuing to grow and was estimated to stand at a little over 4,100 in the first quarter of 2014.

In the first quarter of 2014 arrival figures were up by 4.3 per cent from the same period in 2013. The increased in arrivals is due to a rise in the number of Saints travelling on the RMS, and a rise in business and tourist visitors. Approximately 45 per cent of tourists were of UK nationality and over 75 per cent were from Europe.

Statistician, Dr Paula McLeod says:

“It’s encouraging to see indications that the St Helena population and economy are growing steadily. The information the Statistics Office publishes provides a small insight in to St Helena and her people. It is important that we gather as much data as we can so that we can monitor changes on St Helena and provide sound evidence for policy makers and businesses to base decisions upon.”

This month the Statistics Office also publishes an analysis of income from employment on St Helena from 2011 to 2013. The figures show a 6.7 per cent increase in the average income from employment, primarily due to a substantial increase in private sector wages, which showed a 14.6 per cent increase versus a 2.5 per cent increase in the average public sector wage.

The Statistical News Bulletin, along with the analysis of income from employment on St Helena from 2011 to 2013, and other statistical reports, is available for download from the SHG website www.sainthelena.gov.sh/statistics

If you have requested a copy of the Quarterly Statistical News Bulletin via email and have not yet received it, please contact the office on 22138 or by e-mailing statistics@sainthelena.gov.sh

Statistics Office, SHG

27 May 2014

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Telephone: 22470
Email: communications@sainthelena.gov.sh