Overall consumer prices rose 2.8% year-on-year in May, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of all government one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was also 2.8%, slightly lower than that in April.

The month saw year-on-year price increases in food, housing, alcoholic drinks and tobacco, meals bought away from home, miscellaneous goods, miscellaneous services and transport.

Year-on-year decreases were recorded for electricity, gas and water, durable goods as well as clothing and footwear.

The Government said price pressures were largely contained, though the price of basic foodstuffs increased amid the fresh pork supply disruption.

The Government said it will monitor the situation closely, particularly the impact on lower-income people.