Young Singaporeans on Singapore at 100: Safe, fair, united and offering a better life
They say the question is no longer just how far the Republic can go, but what kind of home it wants to remain as.
Singapore celebrates its 100th year in 2065, and young Singaporeans have lofty hopes for the future of their home. In a Straits Times poll, 95% of respondents expressed pride in being Singaporean, while 68% felt hopeful about their future in the country. Young people believe Singapore is safe, stable, and offers a better life, but they want to inherit a nation that provides an easier life, greater compassion, and fewer success-driven pressures.
Vishnukeshn Sivapragasam, a 20-year-old student, appreciates the kindness and community involvement that define Singapore. He highlights the importance of acts of care, such as giving up one's seat on public transport and participating in community projects. Alexander Peter Lin-You Burton, 19, emphasizes the value of small acts of kindness and larger community efforts that shape Singapore into a safe, prosperous, and equal society.
The poll reveals that half of those surveyed want Singapore to remain a safe, stable, and resilient nation, while 44% hope for equal opportunities for all, and 38% desire a society where everyone feels they belong, regardless of background. However, there is a shift in the Singapore Dream among younger cohorts. They prioritize work-life balance and mental well-being, an affordable cost of living, and equal opportunities, over financial security and a fulfilling career.
Trina Lee, an 18-year-old student, envisions a Singapore that accepts failure, prioritizes mental well-being, and encourages curiosity and creativity. Vishnukeshn hopes for a Singapore where people feel they belong, regardless of background, and where diversity is valued. Humaira Safiya, a 22-year-old political science undergraduate, dreams of a Singapore where a young Malay-Muslim girl can feel proud of her identity while being fully integrated into the broader Singapore story.
Burton hopes for a culturally vibrant and green Singapore, with respect for diversity remaining central to everyday life.
Lawyer Loh Tian Kai, 35, emphasizes the need for Singapore to continue being a world leader in sociopolitical stability and economic strategy. He believes that intergenerational transfers of resources and networks should be balanced so that able and ambitious Singaporeans still have the chance to succeed on their own. The issues young people believe Singapore must address over the next 40 years include the cost of living and housing affordability, jobs and economic opportunities, mental health and holistic well-being, and social inclusion.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
