Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)

Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics continues to work on data collection and production of Palestinian Construction Cost Index (CCI), Road Cost Index (RCI), Water Networks Cost Index (WNCI) and Sewage Networks Cost Index (SNCI) despite Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Increase in the Construction Cost Index (CCI), Road Cost Index (RCI), Water Networks Cost Index (WNCI) and Sewage Networks Cost Index (SNCI) in the West Bank* during March, 03/2020

Increase in the Construction Cost Index (CCI) for Residential Buildings

The Construction Cost Index (CCI) for residential buildings reached 106.00 with an increase of 0.53% in the West Bank* during March 2020 compared with February 2020 (base year 2013=100).

At the level of major groups, labour costs and wages increased by 1.17%, and the prices of raw materials increased by 0.30%, while rental of equipment decreased by 0.90% during March 2020 compared with the previous month.

Increase in the Construction Cost Index (CCI) for Non-residential Buildings

The Construction Cost Index (CCI) for non-residential buildings reached 105.75 with           an increase of 0.54% in the West Bank* during March 2020 compared with February 2020 (base year 2013=100).

At the level of major groups, labour costs and wages increased by 1.17%, and the prices of raw materials increased by 0.33%, while rental of equipment decreased by 0.94% during March 2020 compared with the previous month.

Increase in the Construction Cost Index (CCI) for Skeleton Buildings

The Construction Cost Index (CCI) for skeleton buildings reached 103.61 with an increase of 0.57% in the West Bank* during March 2020 compared with February 2020 (base year 2013=100).

At the level of major groups, labour costs and wages increased by 1.05%, and the prices of raw materials increased by 0.45%, while rental of equipment decreased by 0.91% during March 2020 compared with the previous month.

Increase in the Road Cost Index (RCI)

The overall Road Cost Index (RCI) reached 109.09 with an increase of 0.42% in the West Bank* during March 2020 compared with February 2020 (base month December 2008=100).

At the level of major groups, rental of equipment increased by 0.75%, and the prices of raw materials increased by 0.72%, while labour costs and wages decreased by 1.52%, and operating costs of equipment and maintenance slightly decreased by 0.05% during March 2020 compared with the previous month.

Increase in the Water Networks Cost Index (WNCI)

The overall Water Networks Cost Index (WNCI) reached 114.60 with an increase of 0.23% in the West Bank* during March 2020 compared with February 2020 (base month January 2010=100).

Water Networks Cost Index reached 119.63 with an increase of 0.24%, and Water Reservoirs Cost Index reached 103.53 with an increase of 0.20% during March 2020 compared with the previous month.

Increase in the Sewage Networks Cost Index (SNCI)

The overall Sewage Networks Cost Index (SNCI) reached 109.83 with an increase of 0.29% in the West Bank* during March 2020 compared with February 2020 (base month January 2010=100).

Notice:

1.    Following the outbreak of the Corona virus (Covid 19) and measures implemented to limit its spread, the data collection process was transferred from field interview into by phone.

2.    International recommendations were followed in imputing missing prices resulted from temporarily closure of many sources in some governorates of the West Bank during the last third of March 2020, where reliance was placed on the changes in the prices of similar goods in that period.

3.    The following tables show the number and percent change of closed outlets and imputed price observations during March 2020:

4.    Gaza Strip data is not available.

5.    The difference in the percentage change in major groups of roads, construction, water networks, and sewage networks cost index is due to the nature compositions of these major groups.

Note:

*Data exclude those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israeli Occupation in 1967.