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
When is recession ending?
I doubt the recession is ending soon. Only the speculative bubbles.
The cumming of the Ninja is a sign that recession will never go away!
Recession not ending any time soon , yet we have the lhl talking about economy growth 6% or so. Indeed overpaid and talking cock !
wow, Ninja??
lawjann,
recession is over.....although i see lotsa jobs in spore starits times.,,and oz newspapers.thinks more jobs will be in 3 months time in oz because of flash flood which flooded mines and minerals.jobsin oz are same amount as singapore now.