1.6% p.a. real increase in household income last 5 years?

March 22, 2026

 

Many lower-income households are struggling?

According to the Department of Statistics’ web site –

Title : Table 18B. Change in Average and Median Monthly Household Income from Work (Excluding Employer CPF Contributions) Among Resident and Resident Employed Households, 2000 – 2017
Annualised change – 1.6% from 2012 – 2017 – Resident households
This is indeed pathetic, as for example, a household with $2,000 monthly income (including employee CPF contribution) would only have had a real increase in disposable income (after employee CPF contribution) of about $25.60 ($2,000 less 20% CPF x 1.6%) a year in the last 5 years.
Leong Sze Hian

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.