Singapore’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2026 increased by 0.6% from the previous month and 2.3% compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data. This rise reflects changes across various expenditure divisions, with notable increases in transport and health sectors.
The transport sector experienced the most significant year-on-year increase at 8.1%, driven by a 12.8% rise in other transport services and a 7.5% increase in private transport costs. Health costs also saw a notable rise of 3.3%, with health insurance premiums surging by 8.6%.
Food prices rose by 2.3% year-on-year, with specific categories such as fruits and nuts, and fish and other seafood, increasing by 5.1% and 6.6%, respectively. Clothing and footwear prices climbed by 3.1%, with footwear alone seeing a 3.0% increase.
Housing and utilities costs rose by 1.3%, with accommodation prices increasing by 0.8%. Meanwhile, the information and communication sector saw a decline of 4.3%, largely due to a 5.6% decrease in information and communication services.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) core inflation measure, which excludes accommodation and private road transport costs, rose by 2.2% year-on-year. This data highlights ongoing inflationary pressures in Singapore, affecting various sectors differently.
As Singapore continues to navigate these economic changes, the CPI figures provide crucial insights into consumer spending and cost of living adjustments. The data will likely influence future economic policies and consumer behaviour in the city-state.
