The inflation rate for March was recorded at 24.98%, showing a slight decrease from the previous month. The categories with the highest inflation rates were clothing and footwear, restaurants and hotels, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and housing, water, electricity, and cooking gas. The Consumer Price Index for March increased compared to February but at a slower pace. The details are as follows:

- Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages: The CPI was at 233.65 points (up from 231.14 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 23.61%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 24.47%.

- Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco: The CPI was at 187.18 points (up from 182.69 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 2.45%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 24.57%.

- Clothing and Footwear: The CPI was at 219.08 points (up from 216.59 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 1.15%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 34.92%.

- Housing, Water, Electricity, and Cooking Fuel: The CPI was at 178.10 points (up from 174.35 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 2.15%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 20.44%.

- Household Equipment: The CPI was at 205.97 points (up from 201.43 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 2.25%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 25.56%.

- Health and Medicine: The CPI was at 233.58 points (down from 288.84 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 2.07%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 32.71%.

- Transportation, Public Works, and Transport: The CPI was at 237.27 points (up from 235.78 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 0.63%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 22.06%.

- Telecommunications: The CPI was at 138.20 points (up from 137.73 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 0.34%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 5.80%.

- Recreation: The CPI was at 160.14 points (up from 156.32 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 2.44%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 19.66%.

- Education: The CPI was at 140.07 points (up from 137.02 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 2.23%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 17.21%

- Restaurants and Hotels: The CPI was at 214.21 points (up from 208.95 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 2.52%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 35.67%.

- Goods and Services: The CPI was at 210.24 points (up from 204.87 in February); the price increase in March compared to the same period last year was 2.62%, and the inflation rate for the first quarter was 22.99%.

Overall March 2024 CPI: The index stood at 218.83 points, with a price increase in March 2024 compared to the same period last year of 1.33%, and the price increase for the first quarter was 24.93%.

The main reasons for the inflation in March and the first quarter were factors such as the depreciation of the Lao kip against foreign currencies like the USD, Thai Baht, and Chinese Yuan. Additionally, rising fuel prices and ineffective domestic price and service management also contributed.