Argentina Data Doubts Continue

Argentina has released its inflation figures for February, prompting more concerns over reported changes in the data calculation methodology being used by the government. Figures released by INDEC, the national statistics bureau, which has been at the center of the data doubts row, stated that February’s prices rose by just 0.3%, compared with 1.1% in January, taking annual inflation down to 9.6%. Workers groups continue to contend that January’s real inflation figure was 1.9%. The rate of inflation published by INDEC was used to calculate wage increases for workers but unions are now disputing its use and questioning the credibility of the figures being produced.