Singapore households CPI up 7.1% in first 6 months
The Singapore Consumer Price Index (CPI) for households increased by 7.1 per cent in the first half of 2008 compared with the same period last year.
Households in the lowest 20 per cent income group were the hardest hit, with inflation rate at 7.4 per cent.
The CPI for the middle 60 per cent and highest 20 per cent income groups went up by 6.9 per cent each.
The Department of Statistics say food, housing and transport and communication costs contributed to the significant increase in CPI for all income groups in the first half of 2008.
For the lowest 20 per cent income group, the higher inflation rate was due primarily to more expensive food, as well as higher housing costs and electricity tariffs.
These items have relatively larger weights in the CPI for the lowest 20 per cent income group compared to the other income groups. - CNA/yb/ir
