Ever wondered what the Retail Price Index is, or what the Harmonised Consumer Price Index is, for that matter?

Ever wondered which one is used to calculate inflation?

The secrets of compiling statistics were yesterday revealed by the Acting Director of the National Statistics Office, Reno Camilleri.

Mr Camilleri, speaking during an information meeting for journalists, explained that there were, in fact, two indices to measure inflation. The RPI and the HCIP. The crux of the matter is that the former is used only with Maltese people, while the second includes tourists who spend money in Malta.

It is too long and complicated to go into, Mr Camilleri telling the press that collating figures, crunching and de-crunching them is a long, arduous task. “But we do need to stress these points and we must also point out that people should not use the RPI alone to try and figure out inflation or GDP growth. Even the best of heads with figures cannot reach the conclusions in the way the NSO does, trust me, it’s complicated,” he said.

He also spoke about the Labour Force Survey and gave some definitions. “According to the LFS, unemployed means people who are not working, are available to start work within weeks and are actively seeking a job,” he said. “The ETC unemployment register, on the other hand, only features people who are registering for work,” concluded Mr Camilleri.