Budget 2026: What Singaporeans Value Most in a Changing World

Budget season in Singapore follows a familiar rhythm: the Prime Minister delivers the speech, explainers appear across media platforms, WhatsApp groups buzz with “eh, got increase or not?”, and then life moves forward.

At Milieu Insight, we conducted a poll of 888 Singaporeans across ages, incomes, and backgrounds following Budget 2026. The aim was simple — to understand how people feel about the measures announced and what matters most to them in their daily lives.

Three themes stood out.

1. A strong preference for stability and practicality

Singaporeans continue to demonstrate a practical approach to financial support measures.

When asked how they would use an additional $500 in CDC vouchers, 75% said they would use the full amount. While the sum may not significantly alter long-term finances, respondents viewed it as meaningful support amid rising living costs.

This preference for stability is also reflected in retirement attitudes. Regarding the new Lifetime Retirement Investment Scheme, which allows CPF savings to be invested for potentially higher returns, the most popular choice (35%) was a cautious 75/25 split — keeping the majority in CPF while investing a smaller portion. Only 9% chose to invest fully, suggesting that many Singaporeans continue to value the certainty of CPF’s guaranteed returns.

On climate policy, respondents also expressed a pragmatic outlook. When informed that some countries are adjusting their climate commitments, 39% felt Singapore should review its pace to remain economically competitive, while 15% supported maintaining current targets regardless of global trends. These responses suggest that many Singaporeans view sustainability goals through both environmental and economic lenses.

2. Beyond financial support: time and flexibility matter

Across several policy areas — family support, skills development, and social assistance — respondents indicated that while financial incentives are appreciated, non-monetary factors play an equally important role.

Family support:

Under the Large Families Scheme, families may receive up to $16,000 in additional benefits for a third child. Among parents with two children, 33% said additional financial support alone would not influence their decision to have another child, while 25% indicated they would need more to consider it. Notably, 19% cited time-related factors — such as parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and caregiving capacity — as key considerations.

AI upskilling and SkillsFuture:

Budget 2026 enhanced SkillsFuture incentives by offering six months of complimentary premium AI tools upon course completion. While the initiative was well received, 27% of respondents indicated they would require employer-supported time off to participate. Additionally, 15% shared that previous SkillsFuture courses had limited impact on their career progression, suggesting an opportunity to further strengthen links between training and employment outcomes.

Providing clearer pathways from training to career advancement, along with protected learning time, may help more individuals benefit from these programmes.

ComLink+:

The ComLink+ scheme offers up to $10,000 annually to support low-income families who remain employed and enrol their children in preschool. While many respondents recognised the value of this support, 22% felt the amount may not fully address long-term financial challenges, and 12% expressed concerns about meeting programme conditions during difficult periods.

These responses highlight the importance of continued dialogue to ensure support schemes remain responsive to diverse household circumstances.

3. Steady support, with interest in transparency and outcomes

Overall sentiment toward Budget 2026 was measured: 44% of respondents felt neutral, while 26% expressed positive sentiments. Neutral responses may reflect a wait-and-see approach as Singaporeans observe how measures translate into tangible outcomes.

When asked about the $50 million SG Partnerships Fund, 32% expressed interest in seeing how funds will be distributed, and 20% highlighted the importance of accessible application processes for grassroots groups. Similarly, respondents emphasised the value of clear communication and regular updates for major initiatives.

These perspectives suggest that transparency and visibility of outcomes can further strengthen public confidence and engagement.

Looking ahead

Budget 2026 reflects Singapore’s efforts to navigate an increasingly uncertain global environment. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised the need to adapt to a “more uncertain and fractured world,” a message that resonates with many respondents.

The poll findings suggest several areas that Singaporeans value as policies evolve:

• Practical support that helps households manage daily expenses
• Time and flexibility to complement financial incentives
• Clear pathways linking skills training to career outcomes
• Transparent processes that build understanding and trust
• Balanced approaches that consider both economic and environmental priorities

Singaporeans who participated in this poll expressed appreciation for the support provided, alongside thoughtful perspectives on how policies can continue to evolve to meet changing needs.

Their responses reflect a community that is engaged, pragmatic, and forward-looking — qualities that will remain important as Singapore charts its next phase of development.

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Data from a public opinion poll of 888 Singaporeans conducted from 13–16 February 2026. For the full dataset, kindly contact us at sales@mili.eu