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Published: Tuesday August 27, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday August 27, 2013 MYT 9:05:25 AM
Majority want slower pace of life in Singapore
WHILE generally optimistic about the future, the majority of Singaporeans want a slower-paced life, a less competitive education system and fewer foreigners – and they are willing to trade off economic growth for that.
This was the picture that emerged from a survey of 4,000 citizens conducted in January as part of the Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) exercise.
The full findings, released last week, had 65% of respondents saying that they were optimistic about the future five years ahead, and 78% saying that the Government was managing Singapore well.
When asked to pick among competing national priorities, respondents showed more consensus than observers expected. That consensus pointed to a desire for an easing of Singapore’s pace of growth and development.
Asked to choose between career advancement and a comfortable pace of life, 59% chose the latter. This number swelled to 62% among those married with children.
NUS sociologist and former Nominated MP Paulin Straughan said Singaporeans want a “more balanced approach from the Govern*ment to ensure that in terms of quality of life, we are not always obsessing about saving for the future. They want everyday life to be rewarding too”.
But she noted that where they stood on these compromises were a reaction to what they felt was already “in place” now.
“Because all the hard factors like infrastructure, a high employment rate and a competitive education system are already in place, they are yearning for more,” she said.
“People can ask for more work-life balance only if you have work.” — The Straits Times / Asia News Network
Updated: Tuesday August 27, 2013 MYT 9:05:25 AM
Majority want slower pace of life in Singapore
WHILE generally optimistic about the future, the majority of Singaporeans want a slower-paced life, a less competitive education system and fewer foreigners – and they are willing to trade off economic growth for that.
This was the picture that emerged from a survey of 4,000 citizens conducted in January as part of the Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) exercise.
The full findings, released last week, had 65% of respondents saying that they were optimistic about the future five years ahead, and 78% saying that the Government was managing Singapore well.
When asked to pick among competing national priorities, respondents showed more consensus than observers expected. That consensus pointed to a desire for an easing of Singapore’s pace of growth and development.
Asked to choose between career advancement and a comfortable pace of life, 59% chose the latter. This number swelled to 62% among those married with children.
NUS sociologist and former Nominated MP Paulin Straughan said Singaporeans want a “more balanced approach from the Govern*ment to ensure that in terms of quality of life, we are not always obsessing about saving for the future. They want everyday life to be rewarding too”.
But she noted that where they stood on these compromises were a reaction to what they felt was already “in place” now.
“Because all the hard factors like infrastructure, a high employment rate and a competitive education system are already in place, they are yearning for more,” she said.
“People can ask for more work-life balance only if you have work.” — The Straits Times / Asia News Network
