Associated Press
15 March 2005
Poorer Singaporeans were hardest hit by inflation last year, according to figures released by the Statistics Department on Tuesday.
According to the department, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the poorest 20 per cent of Singapore rose 2.3 per cent in 2004, against an average increase of 1.7 per cent for all households.
For the middle 60 per cent of households by income, prices rose 1.5 per cent last year, while the top 20 per cent experienced a 0.3 per cent increase in their cost of living.
The Government said the main contributors to the increase in the CPI for all income groups were more expensive cigarettes, cooked food, petrol, newspapers, as well as higher tuition fees paid to foreign universities.
‘The price increases for the middle 60 per cent and higher 20 per cent income groups were partially moderated by lower car prices and government levy on foreign maids, as well as cheaper accommodation,’ the department said.
This AP report was carried by the Straits Times. Strange how a Singaporean newspaper has to rely on the wire services to report on a Singaporean matter.