The Elastic Minds of Singapore's Millennial and Gen Z Voters

IPS poll showing upswing in conservatism alongside enduring demand for pluralism reflects an electorate inclined to pragmatism.

- Bhavan Jaipragas

What exactly is the political leaning of the average millennial and Gen Z Singaporean voter aged 21 to 39? Should we assume, as the pundit class often does in developed economies, that they reliably lead the charge towards progressivism, shunning status-quo politics or "conservatism"? How much weight do they give to good governance and administrative competence? What about the relatability of candidates, or diversity in Parliament?

Politicians crave precise answers to these questions across all segments of the electorate; getting them right can make or break electoral success. With younger voters, the urgency is greater. More often than not, these cohorts drive electoral volatility: Having yet to form deep party attachments, they can deliver breakthroughs for new players and, by the same token, turn quickly on incumbents who disappoint.

Yet even for seasoned operators, the hunt for such answers is more art than science - like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Surveys, flawed in some ways, at least offer measurable indicators. The new series of Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) post-GE2025 surveys released this week proves particularly illuminating on this front.

As reported in this newspaper, the standout finding is the rise, since the 2020 Covid-19 election, in the share of voters aged 21-39 who, based on their support for the political status quo, are labelled conservatives.