SINGAPORE — Data in McCann Worldgroup Singapore’s Truth Study, ”The Truth about Singapore,” explores the profound shifts that are taking place in work and culture in the city-state. And while there is much for Singapore to celebrate, on the eve of its 59th birthday, the report also explores the flip side of its remarkable progress.
Singapore has built a harmonious multiracial, multicultural society, but does this harmony come from achieving true unity or because people have turned a blind eye to the divide? The study shows that 52% of Singaporeans report feeling like they are the token diversity hire at work.
Singapore is renowned for being at the forefront of technological advancements, but is this at the expense of human connection? 81% of Singaporeans believe those not learning about AI will be left behind, and 1 in 2 Singaporeans have expressed an openness to building relationships with robots.
While strong family values prevail and filial piety remains pervasive, 84% of Singaporeans have concerns about Singapore’s aging population, (vs 54% globally), and half of those surveyed say that ‘maintaining their independence’ is a reason not to have children.
These findings are derived from over 243,579 unique data points across a survey of 2,035 Singaporeans spanning the complete demographic mix. The data was collected by Truth Central, McCann Worldgroup’s consumer insights division, over two years, in three waves.
To further understand Singapore’s unique societal fabric, three focus groups were run in Singapore, representing Singaporeans from different walks of life and age groups. Eleven expert interviews were also conducted, including insights from cultural tastemakers, innovators in technology and business, human resource professionals, academics, and advocates for mental health and climate change. Additionally, other social listening and trend analysis was carried out across various platforms such as Crowdtangle, Pulsar, Facebook, X, and Reddit.
The Truth About Singapore unveils critical societal evolutions, spotlighting the vital role technology and changing work paradigms play in shaping the future of Singapore. Amidst these shifts, a standout finding — that 90% of Singaporeans believe global brands have the power to make the world a better place — underscores the significant impact these entities can have on societal progress. This belief presents a call to action for global and local brands alike, encouraging them to harness their influence to drive positive change and align with the aspirations and challenges of Singaporeans in this dynamic landscape.
Key trends that have emerged include:
Singapore’s R&R: Reactions and Realities
Singapore is an economic powerhouse that embraces the benefits of cultural diversity. While many take pride in their citizenship, Singaporeans are grappling with rapidly changing socioeconomic realities and are looking for ways to navigate this new landscape.
- 1 in 3 Singaporeans believe citizenship is a core part of their identity.
- Cost of living/inflation is the #1 Challenge Singaporeans think the world is facing in the next 20 years.
- 52% have felt tokenized at work (i.e. treated like a diversity hire).
Erosion of humanness in tech transformation
While Singapore is embracing the global technological transformation, the erosion of humanness and interpersonal bonds is an impending problem, as Singaporeans seek non-traditional ways of interaction, enabled by technology.
- 65% of Singaporeans demonstrate an openness to AI for offering shopping recommendations.
- 1 in 2 Singaporeans express openness to building relationships with robots.
Pursuit of purpose in a changing work landscape
The evolving workplace has introduced new levels of work-related anxiety, and Singaporeans are searching for what they want from work – as well as what meaningful employment means.
- 81% of Singaporeans believe those not learning about AI will be left behind.
- 75% of Singaporeans say that if their job were to disappear tomorrow, they don’t believe the world would notice – the 2nd highest among all countries surveyed.
- 74% of Singaporeans say that they put on a different persona to fit in at work vs. 58% as a global average.
Conflicting repercussions of traditional familial ideals
Singapore is navigating the clash between traditional and modern family ideals, facing a parenthood paradox amidst a looming demographic shift and ongoing evolution in mental health dialogues today.
- 75% firmly believe that everyone bears the responsibility of having children, vs. the global average of 50%.
- 50% agree that they “would like to maintain my independence”, vs. the global average of 35%.
“This year’s National Day Parade is a reminder of our collective strength – to come together to shape our future and uplift each other. Our Truth study unveils societal frictions among other realities that everyone is grappling with today and we all have a responsibility to address and solve these together, be it through comms, creativity, and more,” said Fathrul Fazakir, General Manager at McCann Worldgroup Singapore.
