The Consumer Price Index (CPI) aims to measure the average changes over time in the general level of prices of goods and services purchased by the households for their own final consumption.

The prices of a representative sample of goods and services are collected in monthly surveys and the CPI is compiled and published monthly. It is usually not revised or seasonally adjusted.

To some extent differences in compilation methods and in the coverage (of goods and services, geographical area and population groups) may influence the international comparability of the data.

A comprehensive and detailed explanation of CPI methodology is provided in ILO/IMF/OECD/UNECE/Eurostat/The World Bank (2004): (Consumer Price Index Manual. Theory and Practice. International Labour Office, Geneva).