Is Singapore really First World Nation?

[JohnTT]

Singapore seems to have good infrastructure & a strong economy, similar to other First World Nations. But one thing that worries me is the aging population. Old & retired citizens of First World Nations are able to retire well & spent their golden age in comfort (e.g. travel around the world). However if you look at Singapore, the aging & old people still have to slog hard in fast food restaurants taking orders or wiping & clearing tables at coffee shops or food courts. In other words, they are unable to retire early i.e. have to prolong their retirement age. Why is the scenario so different???? :(

 

[makapaaa]

For the Familee members and FTrash, Sg is heaven on earth. But this is achieved by making it hell for Sporns.

 

[tonychat]

seriously, i do not think so.

Being oppressive is a 3rd world tactic to run a country. Many of its people still cannot get out of their sinkieness due to that.

 

[wallace]

However if you look at Singapore, the aging & old people still have to slog hard in fast food restaurants taking orders or wiping & clearing tables at coffee shops or food courts.

Proof that the CPF system does not work?

 

[zhihau]

... Why is the scenario so different???? :( ...

to put things on a nice perspective, i'd say that on the whole, Singapore has done very well in hiding the poor and the under privileged, if you'd to compare Singapore with other big cities, Singapore doesn't really have any ghettos. all thanks to the 1~2-room pigeon hole around the Chinatown area, Redhill/Bukit Merah area, and perhaps the other older HDB districts.

the big crunch comes when we look at the employment figures as well as the income figures. how many of our Citizens are gainfully employed and how much dough are they bringing home? the middle class who live in the 3~5-room pigeon holes are repaying their HDB loans with their CPF, and how much would be left in the CPF? how much disposable income do they have? you think these folks can afford to retire?

the top tier probably wouldn't have much problem, these increases in costs of living could be just "peanuts" to them. these group also probably wouldn't have much trouble emigrating to any country that pleases them we may have progressed in terms of the development of better infrastructures and all, but the rest of the populace are mere economical digits, but not truly developed as Citizens of a First World Nation.

 

[nicolewong]

Alomost there. But we're lacking of a national identity, other than that mai hum thing

 

[jerry]

When we have freedom of speech and the right to protest, then we are first world

 

[angry_one]

Whatever gave you the idea that we are 1st world???

The only 1st world aspect we have is infrastructure. Socially and politically we are very much 3rd world. Economically, somewhere in between. That's because we're still better off that African countries etc, but our economy is wholly dependent on latest market fads. We don't add value or anything new to the market.

 

[hughgrant]

of course we are 1st world. so many nice multinational FLs at GL so many choices. All also want to come to s'pore

 

[pia]

Whatever gave you the idea that we are 1st world???

The only 1st world aspect we have is infrastructure. Socially and politically we are very much 3rd world. Economically, somewhere in between.

Totally agree. We are like the noveau-rich compared to "old money". Rich but lacking the social graces that comes with first class.

Look at your neighbours for examples of such. Obstentiously flaunting their wealth to show they have "arrived", but displaying the boorish attitude that's hated by all.

 

[Big Sexy]

2nd world nation with 3rd class citizens.

 

[david]

Singapore is first nation when

the seniors don't have to collect cans

 

[jhunter]

Old & retired citizens of First World Nations are able to retire well & spent their golden age in comfort :(

That's not true. That's a Singaporean, perhaps Chinese, assumption. Every developed country have their old and poor, and accompanying pension or social security scheme to try to protect senior citizens. It's merely that there's no fool-proof system. I think you're just looking at well off seniors and assuming that they represent the whole.
There's no socialist utopia where everyone is taken care of, and there is no poverty. However, there are silly people who'd sell their votes for a pipe dream.