Financial Tribune - The consumer price index for the housing sector registered a year-on-year increase of 24.8% in the first Iranian month (March 21-April 20) compared with the similar month of last year.

The index stood at 140.3 for the month, indicating a 1.7% rise compared with the previous month, the Statistical Center of Iran reported.

The average index for the 12-month period ending April 20 increased by 19.7% year-on-year, SCI said.

The housing CPI for urban and rural areas stood at 140.9 and 132.1, indicating an increase of 1.8% and 1.7% respectively.