The first chart below shows the general level of inflation (black line, indexed to December 2007) and the individual components of the inflation index that have risen more than the average.
Now this second chart also shows the general level of inflation (black line, indexed to December 2007) and the individual components of the inflation index that have risen less than the average.
Also, it's worth pointing out here that salaries in Venezuela have risen to 164.5 if we take the same December 2007 month as our starting point and also give it a score of 100 (this includes the recent 10% rise in salaries for 2010, the only data not found in the Cenbank archives).
The upshot is that Venezuela is definitely more expensive to live if you enjoy alcohol and tobacco, if you eat in restaurants a lot and if you use "other services" (usually the non-essentials) a lot. Food is more expensive for everyone on an average scale, but clothes, cellphones and the utilities have dropped compared to salary buying power. All data from the Venezuelan Central Bank.
Now this second chart also shows the general level of inflation (black line, indexed to December 2007) and the individual components of the inflation index that have risen less than the average.
Also, it's worth pointing out here that salaries in Venezuela have risen to 164.5 if we take the same December 2007 month as our starting point and also give it a score of 100 (this includes the recent 10% rise in salaries for 2010, the only data not found in the Cenbank archives).The upshot is that Venezuela is definitely more expensive to live if you enjoy alcohol and tobacco, if you eat in restaurants a lot and if you use "other services" (usually the non-essentials) a lot. Food is more expensive for everyone on an average scale, but clothes, cellphones and the utilities have dropped compared to salary buying power. All data from the Venezuelan Central Bank.