Statistical Highlights for Guam's Economy

Total Government of Guam General Fund Revenue for the month of March 2004, shows an increase of 16.9 percent from March 2003.  Business Privilege Taxes and Income Taxes increased 55.3 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.  The Territorial Education Facilities Fund and Tourist Attraction Fund show increases of 25.3 percent, 14.5 percent, respectively.  Territorial Highway Fund shows a decrease of 3.6 percent from March 2003.  Total General Fund revenue increased 24.8 percent for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004.  During the fiscal year, Business Privilege Taxes and Income Taxes increased 55.6 percent and 18.6 percent, respectively. 

The Guam Consumer Price Index (CPI)  for the first quarter 2004 has been finalized.  The All items category of the CPI for the first quarter increased  1.43 percent over the preceding quarter.  Food & Beverages, Apparel & Upkeep, Transportation, and Medical Care, show increases over the preceding quarter of 4.61 percent, 4.42 percent, 2.62 percent, and 0,84 percent, respectively.  Housing, Other Goods & Services and Entertainment show decreases over the preceding quarter of 2.41 percent, 0.43 percent, and 0.06 percent, respectively.  The inflation rate for 2003 was 1.26 percent. 

There were 57,810 employees on payroll in March 2004.  Total employment increased by 310 jobs or 0.5 percent compared to December 2003.  All Private Sector industries increased 0.4 percent, Federal Government decreased 1.0 percent, and Territorial Government decreased 1.6 percent.

The number of building and construction permits issued during the first quarter of calendar year 2004 totaled 332, valued at $21.430 million, a decrease of 37.3 percent from the fourth quarter 2003 and 5.6 percent over the first quarter of 2003.

Visitor arrivals totaled 311,295 for the first quarter 2004, a 13.3 percent increase (36,618 persons) from fourth quarter 2003 and a 47.0 percent increase when compared to the same period one year earlier.  Korea, United States, Other Areas, Japan, and Hong Kong show increases of 29.4 percent, 15.3 percent, 13.1 percent, 11.2 percent, and 1.1 percent, respectively.

The number of public assistance recipients in March 2004 decreased by 2.9 percent from December 2003 and 29.7 percent when compared to the same period one year ago.  Expenditures decreased by 4.9 percent from the fourth quarter CY 2003 and 15.4 percent when compared to the same period one year ago.  Public Assistance Expenditures were $272,321 a decrease of 0.8 percent from the $274,551 in December 2003.  These expenditures now average $57.77 per recipient.

There were 24,763 persons participating in the Food Stamp Program in January 2004, an increase of 4.7 percent from December 2003 and 11.1 percent when compared to the same period one year ago.  The total value of food coupons issued during the first quarter 2004 was $11,300,471, an increase of 8.3 percent ($861,502) from the same period one year ago.