CABILTES, JOIELYN B.

ECODEPT - 504
Country Cost of Living Local Custom Quality of Crime Index Healthcare Pollution Traffic Index
Index Purchasing Basket Price Life Index Index Index
Power Index

Brunei 56 73.02 60 64.45 29.39 77.31 35.49 27.30

Cambodia 47.4 16.4 20 71.05 51.3 50.04 80.04 26.75

Indonesia 41.5 27.5 40 71.3 46.0 58.9 81.7 274.4

Laos 37.45 17.97 29 106 30.43 36.81 78.19 21.50

Malaysia 41.8 76.1 53 110.1 60.8 65.0 69.0 184.7

Myanmar 54.9 16.64 29 66.13 25.58 47.47 90.90 51.67

Philippines 38.9 38.8 34 66.4 40.8 60.5 91.7 271.9

Singapore 68.8 103.8 85 156.9 21.5 70.3 32.3 154.4

Thailand 55.2 41.2 36 93.8 46.7 78.5 73.8 218.5

Vietnam 38.9 39.1 37 96.7 48.8 51.9 91.6 95.9

Q & A’s:

1. How do you compare living in the Philippines with other neighboring countries in terms of the cost of living?

The Cost of Living Index is a metric that assesses how costly it is to live in a specific place or region. It compares the cost of sustaining a basic
standard of living across different areas, taking into account expenditures for needs like housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and other
necessities. A region or country with a higher cost of living index indicates that it is more expensive to live in that area compared to other places
with a lower index.
As a result, compared to other countries other than Laos, which has the lowest cost of living, the Philippines, which ranks second behind Laos in
terms of cost of living index, along with Vietnam, appears to have lower costs linked to maintaining a basic or an average standard of living, thus, the
affordability of basic necessities here is much within reach, in comparison, to 8 other Southeast Asian countries.

2. Compare and contrast the cost of living and the quality of life in Manila with Region VIII.

The Cost of Living Index (COLI) can vary significantly between different regions within a country, including Manila and Region 8 in the
Philippines. Manila, being the capital and a highly urbanized area, generally experiences a higher cost of living compared to other regions.
In Manila, factors such as housing, transportation, healthcare, and education tend to be relatively more expensive due to high demand and urban
development. Housing costs, especially in central and upscale areas of Manila, can be particularly high. Additionally, the cost of private education
and healthcare services in Manila is often higher compared to other regions.
On the other hand, Region 8, which includes provinces such as Leyte, Samar, and Biliran, generally has a lower cost of living compared to
Manila. Housing costs in rural areas of Region 8 are typically more affordable, reflecting the lower demand and cost of living. Basic necessities such
as food and local transportation are often more budget-friendly in these regions.
However, it is important to note that within Region 8, there can be variations in the cost of living between urban centers and rural areas. Urban
centers like Tacloban City might have slightly higher living costs compared to remote rural areas due to increased access to amenities and services.

3. Give three (3) factors that define the cost of living in one city or country.

Numerous factors are taken into account while determining the Cost of Living Index (COLI), but these three essential elements, I think, define it:
 Housing Costs come first. A large component of the COLI is the cost of housing, which includes rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and property
taxes. A large percentage of a person’s or family’s budget goes toward housing expenditures, and changes in these costs have a significant impact on how
much it costs to live.
Then there are Food and Grocery costs. The cost of living index (COLI) is primarily influenced by the cost of groceries, eating out, and basic food
products. The price of buying groceries, dining out, and purchasing beverages falls under this category. It shows the cost and accessibility of essential
foods in a certain location, which affects people’ total living costs.
Lastly, Transportation Expenses. The COLI heavily weighs transportation costs, including the price of a car, the cost of taking public transit, the
price of gas, and the cost of vehicle maintenance. Commuting and travel are essential aspects of daily life, and the affordability of transportation options
directly affects the cost of living for individuals and families.
The COLI is affected by a number of additional factors, including those related to entertainment, healthcare, education, and other products and
services. However, housing, food, and transportation costs are fundamental elements that have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in a
specific region or city.

4. What can you say about the country with the highest cost of living and the lowest cost of living in terms of the factors mentioned in the column?
(refer to the table)

The fact that Singapore has the highest cost of living is very clear. Looking at the ranks of its index level for detrimental factors like crime and
pollution index, it comes in last, showing that it is in control of stopping crimes and pollution which probably cost them a lot to maintain. Additionally,
Singapore ranks top in terms of positive factors like the local purchasing power and quality of life index, showing that its purchasing power and quality of
life is significantly greater and better than those of the other nations. Practically speaking, this is just another indication that this nation’s high cost of
living is a result of its repeated efforts to higher the standard of living of its citizens.

Based on the aforementioned considerations on the table above, Laos is clearly the nation with the lowest cost of living. According to the rankings
of its index levels for important variables like healthcare and local purchasing power, Laos is ranked ninth and last, which shows that its healthcare and
purchasing power are inferior to those of other nations. This is likely the reason for this nation’s low cost of living, as they fail to allocate considerable
amount of resources and put more emphasis on these essential aspects.

5. Plot the table in a graph to summarize your report on the Cost Living and Quality of Life Indices in the ASEAN region. Use a bar graph.
 Cost of Living and Quality of Life Indices in the ASEAN Region
BRUNEI 64.45
56

CAMBODIA 71.05
47.4

INDONESIA 71.3
41.5
SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES

LAOS 106
37.45

MALAYSIA 110.1
41.8
MYANMAR 66.13
54.9
PHILIPPINES 66.4
38.9
SINGAPORE 156.9
68.8
THAILAND 93.8
55.2

VIETNAM 96.7
38.9
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

INDEX LEVEL

Quality of Life Index Cost of Living Index