Most S'pore residents prioritise self-reliance for essential needs

But support for low-wage earners should be more generous, says poll

- Chin Soo Fang

Singapore residents generally believe they should be responsible for providing their own essential needs such as air-conditioning and emergency savings, but that the Government should help those who cannot afford basic necessities like three square meals.

A majority also prefer to rely on themselves for social participation and leisure needs, but feel that the Government should provide healthcare and childcare-related items, a recent poll by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) has found.

Findings of the IPS poll on Singapore residents’ perceptions of who should provide for essential needs were presented at a symposium at the Singapore Management University (SMU) on July 12, alongside those of an SMU study on what most people here feel are essential items for their daily household needs.

The IPS survey of 2,000 Singapore citizens and permanent residents, conducted in June, saw 39 essential needs put into categories such as childcare, daily living, transport and household items.

An additional 424 respondents from lower-income households were polled, and the data from the resident population was weighted to be nationally representative.

On average, respondents felt that individuals should be responsible for about 16 of the 39 items, the Government for 10 items, and the community for 9 items.

More than three in five said individuals should be responsible for things that ensure a decent standard of living, such as an annual vacation in a South-east Asian country and dining out in restaurants at least once a month.