In Singapore, we sweep poverty under the carpet because as the saying goes – out of sight, out of mind. We shine the spotlight on what it’s like to live in poverty in Singapore.
Unlike other developed countries around the world, there is no official poverty line in Singapore. However, that doesn’t mean that there is no poverty in the world’s most expensive city – you just need to know where to look.
The ruling government in Singapore subscribes to a tiered assistance model, dishing out financial aid and social support based on the people’s needs and their shortfalls. Some need help with finding a job while others might have problems paying for their children’s education. While there isn’t an official poverty line (it’s a concept that the People’s Action Party believe is too rigid and inflexible), many of the schemes rolled out by the Ministry of Social and Family Development has a monthly household income benchmark of S$1,900 or a per capita income of not more than S$650.
The discourse on poverty in Singapore has been gathering steam in the past few years, with many questioning whether the government is doing enough to transfer the wealth downwards. However, not many know that the ComCare Fund has a financial war chest of S$1 billion to combat poverty in Singapore. The only question mark is whether needy families know where they can get help. The multiple bureaucratic hurdles can also deter many of them from seeking financial assistance, most of whom are already sacrificing their pride and face for a hand-out.
Poverty in Singapore is an extremely sensitive issue and one that will generate heated debate (if you’re sitting through a bland dinner, we suggest adding the spice of poverty discussions). However, we think that it’s important to talk about the topic and to understand that many of those living in poverty in Singapore aren’t there by choice or by laziness but by circumstance and misfortune.
Personally, we think one of the best ways to experience what it’s like to live in the bottom 20th percentile of the population is to take up the S$5 challenge. Many have tried it out and gained better insights and renewed respect for those at the bottom.
To give you a peek into poverty in Singapore, we’ve created this infographic to demonstrate that poverty is all around us. He or she could be your hairstylist or your bus driver, and the both of them are just getting by the world’s most expensive city.
There is poverty in Singapore.
You just need to know where to look.
![Living at the Bottom 20th Percentile [Infographic]](https://i0.wp.com/drwealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Living-at-the-Bottom-20th-Percentile-Infographic1.jpg)
Numbers and figures in the infographic are derived from governmental websites, surveys, and statistics.
ShipCaptain? I think they earn quite a lot if it is a proper ocean going ship. Unless it is sampan ferry captain as in the Ubin ferry service.
Ship Captains earn 5 digit salaries.
This article is either trying to sensationalise or mislead readers by repeatedly stating that Singapore is the most expensive city in the world to live in. It has already been clarified that the report on Singapore’s high cost of living refers to expatriats, not local residents. If you think Singapore is expensive, try living in Manhattan or Tokyo.
Hi gks,
I appreciate that you took the time out of your day to leave a comment. My intention is not to “sensationalise or mislead readers”, as you mentioned. I just wanted to point out the fact that there are people living in poverty in Singapore, and many of us are sadly oblivious to their plight. I hope the numbers and figures I raised demonstrate to readers that there are people out there on our island just barely scraping by.
I agree with the writer. For now, Singapore might not be the most expensive city but we are getting closer to US & japan high cost of living.
If higher cost of living brings along higher standard of living, then it is justifiable. For example, we pay higher bus fare now compared to twenty years ago but all our buses now are air-conditioned.
The author may have the good intention of bringing to the readers’ attention of the poorer people around us, but it is still incorrect to say that Singapore is the most expensive city in the world, especially when there is no mention of the improving standard of living over the years. Instead of achieving the intended objectives, this post may end up inciting unhappiness among those who are less rational. We have already seen many such cases in the social media.
With regards to fellow Singaporeans living in poverty, I think we are all aware of it. No country can be free of poverty. Besides relying on the government’s various schemes and approaches to level up the different social classes, it is also the responsibility of every individual to strive for his future. Of course, those of us who are lucky enough to have done better in life than the rest around us can also play our part in lending a helping hand.
A recent report tells of 6000 destitute on streets of New York…..all European cities might compete with that statistic, howsoever it be contrived….