One in two respondents agree that Singapore has become a more unequal society in the last ten years, according to the latest survey by Access Singapore - a social mobility non-profit organisation providing career exposure opportunities for disadvantaged students. This highlights the potential fault lines hindering upward mobility in Singapore and the role that government and educational institutions can play to level the playing field for all Singaporeans.
Conducted in partnership with market research and data analytics firm Milieu Insight, the second edition of Access Singapore’s Social Mobility Survey polled 1,000 respondents in Singapore to understand public perceptions of social mobility in Singapore, the impact of the local education system and interventions for workforce preparation.
Fifty-one percent of respondents indicated that Singapore is a more unequal society in the last decade, with central themes of income inequality, social class and living standards cited as some potential causes of disparity. This reflects that one’s socio-economic background has the most bearing on the availability of opportunities in Singapore, as quality of education, social connections and even housing have emerged as key factors to achieving success in Singapore:
These deep-set perceptions highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of social mobility, and also outline the disadvantage that underprivileged families - who may not have access to such resources - face in moving up the social ladder.
Clarence Ching, Founder and Executive Director of Access Singapore said, “The disadvantaged need to get ahead, and not just get by. We must never allow postal codes to determine outcomes in life - we must continue to narrow the opportunity gap, help the next generation open doors to new possibilities and guide them towards their aspirations for a better future beyond what they once thought possible.”
In spite of the barriers towards upward mobility, 85% of those surveyed still believe in the possibility of enhancing their socio-economic situation through hard work, and 85% of Singaporeans expressed that social mobility is important to their lives.
Based on the findings, a greater focus on enhancing our education system could help to provide equal opportunities, regardless of background:
Commenting on the findings, Gerald Ang, CEO of Milieu Insight said, ‘’While Singapore has done a lot to preserve social mobility, the quest for meritocracy remains an important aspiration. As we dive deeper into the specifics, this study sheds light into the intricate landscape of social mobility in Singapore. Factors such as access to strong networks/ connections, the ability to work hard and positive mental attitude are some of the top noted factors towards improving one’s socio-economic status. The study also yielded encouraging results when it comes to the increasing significance of well-being and a balanced lifestyle in achieving success as the majority of respondents have prioritised health (74%), happiness (64%), and balance (61%) over wealth and career pursuits.”
Clarence adds, “The findings show that greater support and resources must be provided to help the disadvantaged expand their social and cultural capital in Singapore’s fight to tackle social mobility. A refreshed meritocracy runs a real risk of being an overused political mantra if we do not take fast and decisive action. If we want to push for greater social mobility and equity in Singapore, our ultimate aim must be to uplift the bottom as well as diversify the top.”
One in two respondents agree that Singapore has become a more unequal society in the last ten years, according to the latest survey by Access Singapore - a social mobility non-profit organisation providing career exposure opportunities for disadvantaged students. This highlights the potential fault lines hindering upward mobility in Singapore and the role that government and educational institutions can play to level the playing field for all Singaporeans.
Conducted in partnership with market research and data analytics firm Milieu Insight, the second edition of Access Singapore’s Social Mobility Survey polled 1,000 respondents in Singapore to understand public perceptions of social mobility in Singapore, the impact of the local education system and interventions for workforce preparation.
Fifty-one percent of respondents indicated that Singapore is a more unequal society in the last decade, with central themes of income inequality, social class and living standards cited as some potential causes of disparity. This reflects that one’s socio-economic background has the most bearing on the availability of opportunities in Singapore, as quality of education, social connections and even housing have emerged as key factors to achieving success in Singapore:
These deep-set perceptions highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of social mobility, and also outline the disadvantage that underprivileged families - who may not have access to such resources - face in moving up the social ladder.
Clarence Ching, Founder and Executive Director of Access Singapore said, “The disadvantaged need to get ahead, and not just get by. We must never allow postal codes to determine outcomes in life - we must continue to narrow the opportunity gap, help the next generation open doors to new possibilities and guide them towards their aspirations for a better future beyond what they once thought possible.”
In spite of the barriers towards upward mobility, 85% of those surveyed still believe in the possibility of enhancing their socio-economic situation through hard work, and 85% of Singaporeans expressed that social mobility is important to their lives.
Based on the findings, a greater focus on enhancing our education system could help to provide equal opportunities, regardless of background:
Commenting on the findings, Gerald Ang, CEO of Milieu Insight said, ‘’While Singapore has done a lot to preserve social mobility, the quest for meritocracy remains an important aspiration. As we dive deeper into the specifics, this study sheds light into the intricate landscape of social mobility in Singapore. Factors such as access to strong networks/ connections, the ability to work hard and positive mental attitude are some of the top noted factors towards improving one’s socio-economic status. The study also yielded encouraging results when it comes to the increasing significance of well-being and a balanced lifestyle in achieving success as the majority of respondents have prioritised health (74%), happiness (64%), and balance (61%) over wealth and career pursuits.”
Clarence adds, “The findings show that greater support and resources must be provided to help the disadvantaged expand their social and cultural capital in Singapore’s fight to tackle social mobility. A refreshed meritocracy runs a real risk of being an overused political mantra if we do not take fast and decisive action. If we want to push for greater social mobility and equity in Singapore, our ultimate aim must be to uplift the bottom as well as diversify the top.”