SINGAPORE: Smartphones, air-conditioning and annual overseas holidays in the region are some of the things Singaporeans consider essential, a new study has found. But staycations and paid streaming services are not among the 40 essential items or activities for "normal life" in Singapore, according to the Household Needs Study by the Singapore Management University (SMU). Findings from the Household Needs Study were presented at the SMU-DBS Foundation Symposium on Essential Household Needs in Singapore on Friday (Jul 12).
Apart from determining what Singaporeans considered essential, the study also asked if they could afford these, with results showing that one-third of the 4,014 respondents experienced relative deprivation. That is, they lacked access to at least one item or activity that was deemed essential by a majority of respondents. The study, conducted from May 2022 to February 2023, was spearheaded by Professor Paulin Straughan, director of Singapore Management University's Centre for Research on Successful Ageing, and Dr Mathew Mathews, head of the Institute of Policy Studies' (IPS) Social Lab and IPS principal research fellow.
The authors said that by highlighting findings, especially in which aspects respondents are deprived in, they hoped to "facilitate a cultural shift" in which all involved – whether government, community or businesses – could consider their roles in ensuring Singaporeans can achieve what they need in a sustainable manner. The study was con.