The Statistics Department of Singapore released its latest Household Expenditure Survey report (2012/13) yesterday.
A snapshots of information captured in mainstream media:
- Average monthly incomes of resident household = $10,503
- Average monthly expenditure of household = $4,724
- Household expenditure increased 4.4% each year from 2007/08 to 2012/13 (5-year period)
- Household income increased 5.3% each year over the same period.
- Inflation rate of 3.1% per year on average over past 5 years.
Breakdown of Household Expenditure
The table below shows the breakdown.
| Items | Dollars | Percentage |
| Housing and related expenditure * | 687 | 14.5% |
| Food | 1,188 | 25.1% |
| Transport | 811 | 17.2% |
| Recreation and culture | 399 | 8.4% |
| Education services | 310 | 6.6% |
| Health | 261 | 5.5% |
| Communication | 217 | 4.6% |
| Clothing and footwear | 156 | 3.3% |
| Others ** | 695 | 14.7% |
| Total | 4,724 | 100% |
| * excludes imputed rent of owner-occupied accommodation | ||
| ** includes misc expenditure not accounted above, such as | ||
| personal care, alcoholic beverages & tobacco. | ||
Note that the biggest item is food related expenditure at 25% followed by transport expenditure at 17% and then housing & related expenditure at 14.5%. Housing expenditure excludes imputed rent of owner-occupied accommodation (ie only cash spending is considered in housing related expenditure).
No wonder I felt the pain in monthly spending. Food inflation is about 3% so far this year. Bulk of living expenses go into food (25%). For one without employment income, this can be a problem.
