Singapore’s average monthly household expenditure rose 2.7 per cent for the 2007-2008 period against the 2002-2003 period, according to the fresh figures provided by the Department of Statistics, based on its survey of household expenditure.

The monthly amount, in terms of dollar, becomes S$3,760 as compared to S$3,290 for the respective period. In the meantime, the average monthly household income too rose 6.1 per cent per annum to stand at S$7,440 during the same period.

It has been pointed out that housing and related expenditure made a large share of the monthly household expenditure. Higher spending on private road transport rose transport expenses from S$620 to S$700.

Expenses on hospitalization, specialized medical treatment, dental services and pharmaceutical products also remained high during the period, increasing healthcare spending by 5.8 per cent annually to S$230.

The survey, conducted once every five years by the Department of Statistics, has maintained that the competitive airfares and growing budget airlines declined expenditure on overseas holiday trips.

Further, there is a rise in the rich and poor in Singapore due to a huge difference in income between upper and lower sections of the society.