Dubai inflation mostly flat in March

Annual inflation in Dubai cooled slightly in March, inching down to 3.34% during the month from 3.36% in February, according to figures from the Dubai Statistics Center (pdf). The lower inflation reading was driven by decreased furnishings and household maintenance, information and communication, restaurants and accommodation services, and personal care and social protection costs.

The breakdown: Prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels — the largest component of the basket of goods and services — increased at the highest pace this year to 6.34% during March, compared to 6.25% in February, while food and beverage inflation accelerated to 3.1% from 3.08%.

Month-on-month, Dubai’s inflation slowed to 0.24% in March, down from 0.54% in February, according to the statistics center’s monthly inflation report (pdf).