What it means to live well in Singapore

Social inclusion, affordable options and self-responsibility are key to living well and sustaining social cohesion

- Terence Ho

How much does a family need to live comfortably in Singapore? A study, led by researchers from the National University of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Nanyang Technological University, has come up with the following estimates: $6,426 a month for a couple with two children aged seven to 18, and $3,218 for a single parent with a child aged two to six.

These findings are based on a research methodology known as the Minimum Income Standards approach. Focus groups comprising members of the public were asked to discuss and agree on the goods and services needed by a family for a basic standard of living, taking into account social norms and expectations.

According to the study’s authors, basic needs go beyond what families require to survive; also included are items that enable “a sense of belonging, respect, security and independence”.

The study drew a response from the Ministry of Finance (MOF), which pointed out that the findings were highly dependent on the profile of focus group participants and the ensuing group dynamics.

MOF also highlighted, among other things, that the study should have considered lower-cost alternatives to expenditure items in the basket of needs – for instance, enrichment classes by government-run student care centres and self-help groups, which could substitute for privately run programmes.

MOF’s statement affirmed continued support for those in need “through a combination of building their capacity for self-resilience, strengthening their family support, and partnering with the community for further support”.