This compares with a rate of 3.2 percent for the 12 months ended in June, the Statistics Department said yesterday.

Motorists, in particular, benefited from lower prices, with the cost of fuel for cars and cycles going down by 1.7 and 1.5 percent respectively.

Food prices dipped by 0.2 percent, although rent and household goods edged up 0.5 percent.

But there were few notable price changes in other areas, including tobacco and liquor, and clothing and footwear.