Costs in Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste uses the United States dollar as legal tender, with 100 centavos equal to one dollar. There is no single national household-cost framework, official minimum household budget or reliable nationwide budget calculator. Household needs therefore have to be estimated from the actual location, household size, housing arrangement, service access and regular travel distances. The main reference points are consumer price index data from INETL, household consumption data, the state budget, sector tariffs and the prices charged by formal and informal providers. Housing costs include rent, deposits, contracts, repairs, construction materials, water, electricity, cooking facilities, sanitation and sometimes a generator or water tank. Families may rent, share accommodation, use family or community housing, buy land or build gradually. Dili has a more developed rental market, but rents and access to housing vary considerably. Timor-Leste has no evidenced national rent index or uniform rent allowance, and the right to adequate housing does not automatically create a payment entitlement. Utilities depend on connection and consumption. EDTL, E.P. supplies electricity through prepaid and postpaid arrangements, but household tariffs and service coverage vary by municipality. In metered urban areas of Dili, the documented water tariff is USD 0.20 per 1,000 litres for the first 14,000 litres per month and USD 0.40 above that level for domestic users. Public taps are charged at USD 0.10 per 1,000 litres and social facilities at USD 0.15. A DN15 connection costs USD 55, while DN20 and larger connections cost USD 100; domestic and social-tap customers can pay 50% initially and the balance over 12 months. Bee Timor-Leste, ANAS and the Ministry of Public Works have different roles in water and sanitation, and the documented tariff is not a uniform national rate. Food is usually the largest budget item. Households buy rice, staple foods, fresh produce, fish, drinking water and cooking energy through markets, warungs, retailers, imports and household production. Transport losses and weaker local supply can make food more expensive outside major centres. In December 2024, rice prices rose 2.2% year on year, vegetables rose 2.1% and fish and seafood fell 3.9%. Food prices are also sensitive to imported goods, world markets and exchange-rate conditions. Mobility costs include local trips, fuel, vehicle purchase and maintenance, registration, insurance and intermunicipal travel by ferry or air. In Dili, the usual mikrolet fare is USD 0.25 per trip and the student fare is USD 0.15. A nearby interurban trip costs about USD 2, while travel to Suai costs about USD 15. DNTT regulates licensed routes and fares, and drivers may not raise regulated fares independently. Transport costs can also determine access to schools and health services, especially outside Dili. Public health care is free at the point of delivery under Article 57 of the Constitution, but households can still pay for private clinics, medicines when public supplies are unavailable, diagnostic services, transport, food and accommodation during referrals, or treatment abroad. The public network includes hospitals, community health centres, health posts and SISCa posts, with regional differences in availability and quality. Basic education is universal, compulsory and free for nine years, but uniforms, supplies, meals, transport, devices and lost work time can still create household costs. Secondary, vocational, higher and private education generally involve additional fees or living expenses. Family-related costs include childcare, eldercare, disability care, nutrition and transport to school or health services. Bolsa da Mãe and Bolsa da Mãe–Jerasaun Foun provide conditional cash support for economically or socially vulnerable households with children, subject to education and primary-health conditions. The contributory maternity subsidy requires at least six months of contributions in the previous 12 months and an application within six months after leave begins. The non-contributory old-age social pension starts at age 60 for eligible nationals or residents, with monthly amounts of USD 60, USD 80 for ages 70 to 79 and USD 100 from age 80; residence in a suco must be proven. Communication costs usually involve a SIM card, device, voice, data, SMS and electricity for charging. Timor Telecom, Telemor and Telkomcel offer prepaid services. A documented Timor Telecom Basic package costs USD 1 per week for 5 GB plus 100 minutes and SMS within the network, or USD 4 per month for 20 GB plus 400 minutes and SMS. Coverage and service quality differ between urban and rural areas. Leisure spending may include sport, cultural or religious activities, events, dining, media, devices and tourism; many community activities require little cash, while private venues charge separately. A monthly budget should include housing, utilities, food, mobility, health, education, family care, communication and leisure, plus irregular costs for fuel, medicine shortages, referrals, repairs and school supplies. Formal transfers should be recorded as income offsets rather than mixed with banking, debt or tax calculations. INETL reported that in May 2025 the overall consumer price index fell 0.2% year on year, while housing rose 0.5%, transport fell 1.8%, communication fell 0.9% and education rose 0.4%. These figures describe price movements, not the actual monthly budget of a particular household.