The share of resident households in Singapore earning a monthly market income of at least $30,000 has nearly doubled over the past five years, reaching 13.4 per cent in 2025 compared to 7.4 per cent in 2020. According to the General Household Survey released by the Department of Statistics on June 30, this shift reflects broader upward trends in household earnings, with the median monthly market income reaching $12,446.
Income Trends and Household Growth
The June 30 report, which spans 135 pages of data on marriage, education, and housing, indicates that the rise in high-income households aligns with a general increase in median market income. For the first time, the median resident household income surpassed the $12,000 threshold, rising from $9,099 in 2020. When adjusted for inflation, this represents a growth rate of 3.2 per cent per annum.
Market income—defined as earnings from employment and non-employment sources, such as rental and investment earnings—also saw growth across all three major ethnic groups. Indian families experienced the highest real growth at 3.5 per cent per annum, reaching a median monthly income of $13,382. Chinese households followed with a 3.1 per cent annual increase to $12,969, while Malay households saw a 2.3 per cent rise to $8,581.
The proportion of resident households earning at least $12,000 a month climbed from 38.2 per cent in 2020 to 51.6 per cent in 2025, according to the Department of Statistics.
The Role of Dual-Income Households
Employment remains the primary driver of financial stability, accounting for almost 80 per cent of total household income. Data from the survey shows a clear trend toward dual-income arrangements among married couples. In 2025, 56.6 per cent of married couples were dual-income families, an increase from 52.5 per cent in 2020.
Conversely, the prevalence of households supported solely by the husband’s income has declined, falling from 24.9 per cent in 2020 to 21 per cent in 2025. The percentage of households where only the wife is employed has remained stable, moving from 7.4 per cent to 7.5 per cent over the same five-year period.
The shift toward dual-income households and higher earnings brackets suggests that modern family units are increasingly reliant on multiple streams of employment to navigate rising costs. As median incomes continue to climb, households may face increased pressure to maintain these dual-earner configurations to sustain their relative economic position in the coming years.
What May Happen Next
Given the steady rise in both median incomes and the proportion of dual-income families, analysts might expect a continued focus on household financial planning as the cost of living fluctuates. If the trend of rising market income persists, it is likely that the share of households in the highest income brackets will continue to expand. Future reports may provide further clarity on how these income gains distribute across different housing types and age demographics as the labor market evolves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in “market income”?
Market income refers to income from employment and non-employment sources, such as rental and investment earnings.
How did inflation affect the reported income figures?
The figures provided in the General Household Survey are adjusted for inflation to reflect real terms. The median household market income grew at a rate of 3.2 per cent per annum after accounting for these adjustments.
Which ethnic group saw the highest growth in real household income?
Indian families saw the largest increase in real household market income between 2020 and 2025, with an average growth rate of 3.5 per cent per annum.
How do you think these shifting income demographics will influence future household spending patterns?
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