Singapore - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for general households rose by 1.7 per cent in the first half of this year compared with the same period a year ago. This was an improvement over the increase of 1.9 per cent rise seen in the second half of last year.

CPI excluding imputed rentals on owner-occupied accommodation for the lowest 20 per cent of households rose by 2 per cent in the first half of this year.

This was a higher figure than the 1.7 per cent increase registered for the middle 60 per cent and highest 20 per cent of households.

Food and healthcare costs were the factors behind the rise and these hit the lowest 20 per cent income group harder.

For the CPI-All Items, the increases experienced by the lowest 20 per cent, middle 60 per cent and highest 20 per cent income groups were 2.1 per cent, 1.8 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively.