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How Singaporeans are feeling about GE2025
As Singapore inches closer to its next General Election (GE2025), the nation is beginning to stir. Some are paying close attention. Others haven’t quite tuned in. But with political parties stepping up their public appearances and key national issues making headlines, Milieu Insight set out to understand how Singaporeans are really feeling about the upcoming election.
To do this, we conducted four waves of polling throughout April. These polls weren’t one-off snapshots, they tracked how opinions evolved over time.
Here’s how the four waves were structured:
- Wave 1 (14 April): 1,000 respondents provided a foundational view of early sentiment.
- Wave 2 (21 April): 350 respondents followed up a week later.
- Wave 3 (23 April): 450 respondents gave further insight during a key week of political coverage.
- Wave 4 (25 April): 500 respondents gave us the most recent update.
Together, these waves provide a view not just of what Singaporeans think, but how their attitudes are shifting as GE2025 draws near.
From indifference to optimism: How are Singaporeans feeling about GE2025?
Across all four waves, the most common response to how Singaporeans felt about the upcoming election was neutrality. In Wave 1, 47% said they felt neutral. By Wave 4, that number declined slightly to 41%. This suggests that while many remain emotionally detached, there’s a slow but noticeable movement toward more defined feelings.
Hopefulness rose from 18% in Wave 1 to 22% in Wave 4. Excitement followed a similar trend, increasing from 17% to 23%. These upward shifts—though modest—hint at growing interest as the political conversation gains momentum.
On the flip side, uncertainty and frustration declined slightly over time. Jadedness remained low and relatively unchanged. Taken together, the data reflects a population that is slowly becoming more engaged, though many are still waiting for a compelling reason to care.
Voters are making up their minds
When asked whether they’ve decided who to vote for, Singaporeans showed a clear trend: increasing certainty. In Wave 1, only 37% had made up their minds. By Wave 4, that number had jumped to 49%.
Another 26% said they’ve made a decision but are open to changing their minds. This group of persuadable voters will be important for any party hoping to gain ground. Meanwhile, 18% are still undecided.
The rise in certainty over the course of just two weeks suggests that campaign messaging, political news, or national concerns are starting to cut through.
First-time voters are a minority
Only 13% of respondents in Wave 4 said they will be voting for the first time. While this may seem small, it’s important to consider how these voters—many of whom are younger—will be courted. What issues matter most to them? And how do they consume political information?
Constituency awareness is high, but not universal
Most respondents knew which constituency they belonged to. The most frequently mentioned included Aljunied, Ang Mo Kio, Jurong East-Bukit Batok, and Sembawang. But 5% of respondents in Wave 4 still did not know their constituency.
That number may seem small, but it speaks to an awareness gap that political parties and media should pay attention to, particularly as efforts ramp up to engage all voters meaningfully.
Where Singaporeans get their political news
Mainstream media outlets like CNA and The Straits Times are the top sources of election news, with 61% of respondents in Wave 4 citing them. Social media and forums were next at 30%, followed by official government websites (27%) and party channels (22%).
Interestingly, 12% of respondents said they do not actively seek out election-related information at all. This group may be harder to reach, but their votes count just as much.
Physical rallies still draw interest, but only from a minority
Only 21% of respondents in Wave 4 said they have attended or intend to attend a physical rally. Among those who do, 44% want to hear from the PAP candidate in their constituency, while 50% are interested in hearing from other parties.
This points to a modest but curious group of voters who still see value in traditional political events. But the majority are likely relying on online content, media coverage, and personal discussions to form their views.
Top concerns for voters: Cost of living, healthcare, and housing
Across all four waves, the cost of living remained the number one concern—reaching 79% of respondents in both Wave 3 and Wave 4. Healthcare costs were cited by 45%, followed by housing affordability (37%).
These numbers underscore a clear message: day-to-day financial and lifestyle pressures are shaping voter priorities. Issues like government accountability (24%), economic competitiveness (24%), and immigration (17%) are important, but they lag behind more immediate, personal concerns.
What makes a good MP? Practical presence and personal connection
When asked what qualities matter most in an MP, respondents across all four waves were consistent. The top traits were:
- Cares about residents (69%)
- Understands the lived realities of average Singaporeans (59%)
- Humble and approachable (49%)
Only 4% said having strong academic credentials was important. In other words, Singaporeans are looking for down-to-earth, accessible representatives—not just policymakers with impressive resumes.
Drilling deeper into what “relating to residents” looks like, respondents said:
- Listening to concerns during house visits (77%)
- Responding promptly to questions, whether in-person or online (67%)
The data reflects a desire for hands-on, responsive leadership. Voters want to feel heard and supported, not just represented.
Conclusion: A nation in a quiet but growing state of readiness
Milieu Insight’s four-wave polling shows a country that is gradually awakening to the reality of GE2025. While neutrality remains the dominant mood, more Singaporeans are feeling hopeful and excited. A growing number are firming up their voting decisions. And their priorities—cost of living, healthcare, housing—are consistent and clear.
As the nation moves closer to the election, the data suggests that Singaporeans want practical, connected leadership that meets them where they are. The question is: who will answer that call?
