Increase in the construction cost index for residential buildings in Palestine

Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said that the Construction Cost Index for residential buildings reached 100.37 with an increase of 0.23% in the West Bank during February 2014 compared to January 2014 (base year 2013=100).The Construction Cost Index for residential buildings increased due to the increase in the prices of both groups; raw materials by 0.33%, and rental of equipments by 0.22% during February 2014 compared to previous month.Increase in the Construction Cost Index for Non-residential BuildingsThe Construction Cost Index for non-residential buildings reached 100.32 with an increase of 0.23% in the West Bank during February 2014 compared to January 2014 (base year 2013=100).The Construction Cost Index for non-residential buildings increased due to the increase in the prices of both groups; raw materials by 0.32%, and rental of equipments by 0.23% during February 2014 compared to previous month.Increase in the Construction Cost Index for Skeleton BuildingsThe Construction Cost Index for skeleton buildings reached 100.34 with an increase of 0.53% in the West Bank during February 2014 compared to January 2014 (base year 2013=100).The Construction Cost Index for skeleton buildings increased due to the increase in the prices of both groups; raw materials by 0.76%, and rental of equipments by 0.17% during February 2014 compared to previous month.Increase in the Road Cost Index (RCI) The overall Road Cost Index (RCI) reached 117.19 with an increase of 0.14% in the West Bank during February 2014 compared to January 2014 (base month December 2008=100).The Road Cost Index for February 2014 increased due to the increase in the prices of raw materials by 0.14%, rental of equipments by 0.36%, and transportation fees by 0.12%. While, operating costs of equipment & maintenance decreased by 0.56% during February 2014 compared to previous month.Increase in the Water Networks Cost Index (WNCI)The overall Water Networks Cost Index (WNCI) reached 111.56 with an increase of 0.65% in the West Bank during February 2014 compared to January 2014 (base month January 2010=100).Water reservoirs cost Index reached 109.10 with an increase of 0.84%. Also, Water Networks Cost Index reached 112.68 with an increase of 0.57% for February 2014 compared to previous month.Increase in the Sewage Networks Cost IndexThe overall Sewage Networks Cost Index (SNCI) reached 108.33 with an increase of 0.77% in the West Bank during February 2014 compared to January 2014 (base month January 2010=100).Note:The data of the West Bank doesn't cover those parts of Jerusalem which were annexed by Israel in 1967.NB:1. Gaza Strip data is not available.2. The difference in the percentage change in major groups of road, construction, water networks, and sewage networks cost index is due to the nature compositions of these major groups.*Data collection of Construction, Road, Water Networks, and Sewage Networks Cost Index survey was funded by the European Union.