By Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia |
Posted: 19 February 2010 2130 hrs
SINGAPORE : Resident households saw their
work income drop two per cent last year, reflecting the weaker
labour market, which saw higher unemployment and lower wages.
The Department of Statistics (DOS) said the median monthly
household income from work fell to S$4,850 last year, S$100 less
than in 2008.
But when inflation is factored in, the household income fell 2.5
per cent.
One- and two-room HDB households had a median income of S$1,090;
S$3,190 for three-roomers and S$5,560 for four-room and bigger
flats.
Those living in private homes had a household income of
S$12,500.
And with higher-income households experiencing a larger decline in
income per household member, the distribution of income
narrowed.
The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, declined from
0.481 in 2008 to 0.478 in 2009.
This is the second consecutive year Gini coefficient
declined.
The DOS said the Resilience Package and other government schemes
gave a larger boost to the lower-income groups.
On average, they added an estimated S$2,460 per household member
for those living in one- and two-room HDB flats.
This was more than the S$930 per household member for households in
private apartments and landed properties.
After adjusting for government benefits and taxes, the Gini
coefficient was reduced to 0.453 in 2009.
The figures were contained in a DOS Occasional Paper on "Key Trends
in Household Income, 2009". - CNA/ms