Q1. How happy are Singaporeans?

How might happiness be increased in Singapore

society?

Introduction

Singaporeans have long been enjoying considerable level of happiness owing to a

high standard of living, but Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has highlighted a
shift in the “Singapore Dream.” According to him, the pursuit of happiness is evolved
beyond materialism, with Singaporeans now actively seeking greater meaning and
purpose in their lives (CNA, 2023).

Despite this, a notable undercurrent of discontent among Singaporeans persists,

which can be attributed to the Easterlin Paradox, as well as an intrinsic drive to
outperform peers. As per the Easterlin Paradox, the correlation between income
and happiness weakens as GDP growth increases. Furthermore, the inherent need
to outdo peers (Kiasuism) creates a competitive environment, contributing to
individual dissatisfaction.

To address this issue, it is imperative to explore avenues for enhancing happiness in

Singaporean society on an individual and societal levels. As the “Singapore Dream”
is evolving, this paper suggests fostering a cultural shift towards valuing non-
materialistic pursuits. Furthermore, promoting collaboration and mutual support over
excessive competition creates a more harmonious and content society.
What is Happiness?

Instinctively, happiness has been advertised as something attainable through hard

work. In a meritocratic society, there is this belief that hard work would translate into
a better job and a happier life. The idea of a happy life is a product of socialization.
Hence, the idea of happiness becomes limited to what one can attain for himself in
his lifetime – What do people think of me? Where do I rank? (Brooks, 2019). It is a
given that having basic needs met is a predecessor to happiness, as GDP per capita
is shown to improve individual life satisfaction (CNA, 2022). However, this perception
of happiness is too narrow, as humans also derive happiness from things beyond the
material realm.

Hence, this paper adopts Maslow’s theory on the different tiers of human needs. To
him, development towards happiness is based on seeking to meet basic needs,
followed by advanced needs, and finally abstract needs (Susniene et al., 2009).
A visual representation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, adapted from The Concepts
of Quality of Life and Happiness – Correlation and Differences

(Susiene et al., 2020)

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs accounts for happiness coming from non-material

things. This idea is further supported by the Easterlin Paradox comes into play. The
Paradox shows a declining correlation between income and happiness in the long
run (IZA, 2020). This shows the need to cultivate non-material aspects of life like
embracing creativity and self-actualization to further increase happiness.
High Standard of Living

Since independence, Singapore has made significant economic achievements,

effectively increasing the material standard of living among Singaporeans.

Material standard of living is measured by consumption quantity and quality of goods

and services. In this aspect, Singapore is doing relatively well compared to her Asian
counterparts. 78.3% of Singaporeans felt that they had enough money to buy the
things they need (Tambyah, 2023). This contrasts with her neighbor Malaysia, where
approximately a third of residents felt that they did not have enough money for food
(World Bank, 2020). Hence, Singaporeans are deemed to have met basic needs, as
necessities are accessible to most Singaporeans.

After years of economic progress, Singaporeans are increasingly able to afford more
than necessities. Singapore went from being a third-world country to becoming one
of the countries with the highest GDP per capita (Investopedia, 2023). As there is a
positive correlation between GDP per capita and individual life satisfaction,
Singaporeans are perceived to be relatively happy in the material realm (CNA,
2022).

Intuitively, Singaporeans have also met advanced needs – the need of knowledge.
Singapore prides itself in providing world-class education at high subsided rates to
citizens. As a result, most Singaporeans are granted the privilege of satisfying their
need for knowledge. In the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
2018, students in Singapore are found to score higher than average in terms of
reading, mathematics, and science (OECD, 2018).

Yet, it seems that a high standard of living is inadequate for one to achieve
happiness. According to the Association for Consumer Research, a higher material
standard of living does not translate into better well-being (The Association for
Consumer Research, 1985). With reference to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs,
Singapore is lacking in meeting the need for love, aesthetics and for self-
actualization. This idea will be explored further in the following section.

The 5C’s and Materialism

I. Attitudes towards education

The Singapore dream has been traditionally known as the 5C’s – careers, condos,
country clubs, credit cards and cars. To pursue this dream, most Singaporeans pose
a utilitarian attitude towards education. Pragmatism has driven students to focus on
subjects that will grant them better placements in universities. (Oon Ai, 1993). In
Singapore, it has become evident that pragmatism supersedes passion. The pursuit
of 5C’s becomes a means to happiness that one must attain, not because he wants
to. Even if one were to pursue success in the Arts, the lack of economic
remuneration would make his occupation look inferior. His success would be belittled
or seen as inferior to the Singaporean Dream. Many succumb to societal pressure to
study hard and put their dreams on hold. Hence, young people have been socialized
to think that achievement and income is key to perceived success in Singapore. On
this note, students find themselves losing a sense of purpose in academics, which
translates into losing their zest for life in general.

II. The challenges in pursuing the 5Cs - Competition.

It has also become increasingly challenging for one to purchase a condominium. A

tiny city state constantly faces challenges posed by a shortage of land. The Property
Price Index of private residential properties increased from 150 in 2018 to 196.0 in
the 3rd Quarter of 2023 (Urban Redevelopment Authority, 2023). This essentially
meant that owning a private property becomes an increasingly unattainable dream
for low and middle-income Singaporeans. To make matters worse, higher costs of
cars play a huge contributing role to inflation in recent years. (Department of
Statistics of Singapore, 2021). Again, another segment of the 5C’s becomes more
challenging to attain. If the 5Cs are deemed to bring happiness, Singaporeans are
undoubtedly more unhappy than before.
 III. The trade-off in the pursuit of 5C’s.

Pursuing what society deems as happiness requires sacrifice – time spent with
friends and family and mental well-being. Hard work is deemed to rank high in
importance for those earning up to $7,999 (Bhanghi, 2021). This implies that the
investment of time and energy is necessary to get closer to the 5Cs. Slaving away at
a 9-5 job to achieve material life, one may find themselves spending less time on
cultivating relationships. Results have shown that the more materialistic one is, the
less inclined one becomes to marry and procreate (Lim, 2015). Being caught up in
climbing the economic ladder, one may view relationships as a waste of time. In
relation to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, love is not something to be cast aside, it is a
basic need. To Singaporeans, relationships with significant others is a big deal in
their overall quality of life (Tambyah et al., 2009). Ironically, materialism requires one
to give up his own source of happiness just to achieve what society deems
happiness to be.

IV. The endless pursuit of material wealth

Jacques Lacan has said that what humans desire is desire itself. Lecan talked about
the object of desire as something that can be obtained. However, the attainment of it
leaves one feeling lost. He comes to realize that it is not the object of desire he
desired but desire itself.

Take the 5Cs as an object of desire, Singaporeans find themselves inching towards
the end goal by working relentlessly. They feel like they are getting closer to what is
perceived as ultimate happiness. Yet, when it is all accomplished, Singaporeans will
similarly realize it is not material wealth that is desired, but the pursuit.

It would be foolish if Singaporeans continue to seek happiness in the wrong places.

As a result, there seems to be a shift in the Singapore Dream.
The Evolving Singapore Dream – seeking for a sense of purpose
instead of materialism.

This section seeks to focus on supporting non-academic pursuits, as well as meeting

the need for creativity and aesthetics. To realize the evolving Singapore Dream, the
government should provide greater structural support, and individuals can begin give
local art more recognition.

Suggestion for the Singapore Government

A suggestion would be for the government to reduce the stronghold censorship has
over creative works. In Singapore, media and works are subject to state approval,
which stifles creativity. The state determines the territory of performance and
controls funding (Diamond, 2008). As a result, artists would subconsciously limit their
expression to prevent wasting their efforts. It is 2023, yet a local film #LookAtMe is
barred from screening over the “protagonist declaring his intentions to attack a
religious figure” (CNA, 2022)

Perhaps it is about time the government loosened its grip over censorship. Take the
analogy of parenting a kid, a child who does well and is happy grew up with
reasonable amount of freedom to explore his passion. Instead of telling a kid what to
do, it is better to let them find out what is good for themselves and for other people.
Now, apply this analogy to the Singapore government. It makes more logical sense
for the government to explicitly rule out the ‘no-no’s’ and then let artists do their job.
A favorable outcome we are championing for is for local artists to freely express
themselves and need their need for creativity and aesthetics.

Suggestion for Individuals

The attitude that Singaporeans hold towards the arts and aesthetics is that it is non-
essential, or maybe even ‘extra’. In a survey conducted by the Straits Times, the job
“artist” is top in the list of roles deemed non-essential (The Straits Times, 2020). An
indifferent attitude towards local art and aesthetics does nothing to contribute to the
arts scene. All it takes is to put in extra effort to search up locally produced songs
and attend local music events like Candlelight Concerts and TRIFECTA Music
Festival. Hopefully, there comes a day when locals support and derive a sense of
pride from Singaporean Art. Then, Singaporeans are also able to meet their
advanced need for arts and aesthetics.

Overall, the suggestions above will be able to create more opportunities for
Singaporeans to achieve a sense of fulfillment beyond the material realm (Forward
Singapore, 2023).

Kiasuism

As the saying goes, “comparison is the thief to happiness”. Kiasuism adopted by

individuals promotes the culture of competition. As a result, competition hinders the
ability of individuals to achieve self-actualization.

‘Kiasuism’ is known as the inherent need to out-do others due to the fear of missing
out. Singaporeans embody the characteristic of Mr Kiasu, a selfish grab-all-you-can
character in Johnny Lau’s 1990s comic book (Bedford, 2017). As each person is only
concerned with what he can achieve, an individualistic society is created. In this
case, life is nothing but a race to become the best. Being caught up in competition
causes locals to ignore their abstract need to discover a meaningful life.

Suggestion to increase happiness in an individualistic society.

The meaning of life goes beyond the sense of self. As stated in Forward Singapore,
individuals have a stake in creating a cohesive society. Individuals must start
embracing the idea of ‘us’ over ‘me’. To do this, individuals can practice Bodhicitta,
which is otherwise known as ultimate compassion. The possession of such a trait will
mean donating excess money to the door, providing more help to the disadvantaged,
and celebrating the merits others possess. This leads to true happiness, as it is no
longer associated to fleeting moments, but is derived from a deep-rooted for
compassion for others (Ricard, 2016).

Only then can Singaporeans share the fruits of our economic success, and each
other.

Conclusion

My frequent existential crises and google search to find the meaning of life has given
me much input.

Hence, I am glad to be able to reconcile concepts like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,

Jacques Lacan’s theory of desire and Bodhicitta to explore happiness in the
Singapore context. This leads me to conclude that Singaporeans are considerably
happy in quantitative means. Yet, they get so engrossed in chasing tangible
happiness, inevitably falling short of feeling happy in qualitative means.

This paper posits that Singaporeans need to realize that there is only so much
money can buy happiness. Hence, it would be make sense for them to find other
avenues of happiness – the arts and thinking for others instead of self. Much can be
done to change the mindset of Singaporeans, to think beyond ‘me, myself, and I’ to
increase the qualitative aspect of happiness.

True happiness does not come from chasing, it comes from peace, tranquility, and a
lack of ‘self’.

Credits: imgflip.com
p.s my cat gives me temporary happiness. When I feel depressed, I just pet them,
thinking man they are so lonely. When I feed them, I think man they are so hungry,
they can’t get food themselves. I have a urge to pet every cat I see because they
look sad. Cat makes me happy.

[2208 words]
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