Consumer prices rose by 2.1% year-on-year in May, the Census & Statistics Department said today.

Netting out effects of the Government's one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 2.4%, compared to 2.2% in April.

Year-on-year price increases were recorded for food, electricity, gas and water, meals bought away from home, housing, clothing and footwear, miscellaneous services, transport, miscellaneous good as well as alcohol and tobacco.

A year-on-year decrease in prices was recorded for durable goods.

The department said consumer price inflation remained moderate in May.

Looking ahead, it expects inflationary pressures to go up this year if the robust economic conditions continue.