Explanatory Notes on Main Statistical Indicators

Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a relative number measuring the changes in consumer goods and service prices over time. It reflects the changes in prices of consumer goods and services purchased by consumers. CPI is an indicator usually used for reflecting the level of inflation (deflation).

Retail Price Index is a relative number measuring the changes in prices of consumer goods and office supplies provided by industrial, commercial, food & drink and other retail businesses over time. It reflects the extent of changes in retail prices of commodities on the market.

Ex-factory Price Index of Industrial Products is a relative number reflecting the degree of changes in general ex-factory prices of all industrial products, including products sold by industrial enterprises to commercial, foreign trade and materials companies, as well as production materials sold to industrial and other enterprises, and consumer goods directly sold to residents. It can be used to analyze the impact of ex-factory prices of industrial products on gross industrial output value.

Raw Material, Fuel and Power Purchase Price Index is a relative number reflecting the degree of changes in the overall level of prices of all industrial materials, fuels and power. It can be used to observe and analyze the effect of changes in prices of raw materials in industrial enterprises on their production, as well as the enterprises’ capacity of digesting and bearing the rising prices of raw materials, thus proving basis for development of price policies.

Price Index of Investment in Fixed Assets is a relative number reflecting the degree of changes in prices of investment in fixed assets. The investment in fixed assets consists of three components, i.e. the investment in construction and installation, the investment in purchases of equipment and instrument, and the investment in other items. Price index of investment in fixed assets is calculated as the weighted arithmetic mean of the price indices of the three components of investment in fixed assets. Removing the factor of price change in the aggregates of investment at current prices, this indicator shows the changes in the prices of commodities and fees involved in the investment of fixed assets, and can be used to observe the actual size, growth, structure, and efficiency of investment in fixed assets and provides reliable and scientific basis for government planning on and examination of fixed assets investment, improving overall adjustment and controlling skill, and further improving the national accounting system.

Real Estate Price Index is a relative number reflecting the trend and degree of changes in the overall level of real estate prices within a given period of time. It includes the land transaction price index, house selling price index, house lease price index, and property management price index.

Land Transaction Price Index is a relative number reflecting the trend and degree of changes in the prices actually paid for the purpose of obtaining the land use right by real estate developers and other construction entities before the development of commercial houses.

House Selling Price Index is a relative number reflecting the trend and degree of changes in the overall level of house selling prices.

House Renting Price Index is a relative number reflecting the trend and degree of changes in the overall level of house lease prices.

Property Management Price Index is a relative number reflecting the trend and degree of changes in the overall level of property management prices.

Agricultural Products Production Price Index is a relative number reflecting the degree of changes in the overall production prices of agricultural products. Production price of agricultural products means the unit product price for agricultural product producers to sell their products for the first time.

Agricultural Production Goods Price Index is a comprehensive price index showing the degree of changes in the prices of production goods bought by rural residents for production development. It consists of such price change factors as productive seeds, chemical fertilizer, farming film, feedstuff, electricity and fuel for production, small, medium and large-sized agricultural machines and tools.