São Paulo - As measured by the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socio-Economic Studies (Dieese), the Cost of Living Index (ICV) in the municipality of São Paulo rose 1.21% in July, the second biggest increase this year, second only to January's figure of 1.46%.

The ICV for July was 0.09% higher than in June. Last July (2003) the index was 0.35%. The largest increases occurred in electric bills, telephone services, fuel, insurance, and health plans. The cumulative rise so far this year amounts to 4.65%, while the increase over the past twelve months comes to 6.92%.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Paulo Montoia
Translator: David Silberstein
08/03/2004