In my eyes, Singapore is a paragon of a small nation with a small population, a sanctuary akin to a paradise. No other country in the world is quite like Singapore. Indeed, it is a unique entity, not without its flaws, and its path of development is impossible to replicate. But none of this diminishes its unique charm.
Singapore is clean, beautiful, and safe. If there were a blueprint for a blissful, movie-like life, it would surely be set against the backdrop of Singapore. This beautiful Garden City is a world away from chaos, filth, and violence. You can leave your home without locking the door, let your children go to school on their own, help an elderly person who has fallen on the street without hesitation, and return home late at night without fearing armed robbers lurking around the corner.
This is a country where the elderly are cared for, the young are nurtured, and even the poor and ordinary can live with dignity. Singapore’s world-renowned public housing (HDB) scheme allows two ordinary young people to easily purchase a home and start their own small family after graduating from university, without having to drain the savings of six family members or take on massive loans. When you can comfortably afford daily life, you have the energy to pursue your dreams, love, and future. This is a nation where ordinary people can live happily.
On the other hand, it differs from high-welfare Western developed countries: this nation does not support idleness. Here, even retired seniors continue to contribute to society. It encourages retirees to keep working, and places nursing homes and kindergartens within the same community, so a grandfather can visit his granddaughter just by going downstairs, and parents can easily take their children to their grandparents’ for dinner after coming home.
Singapore may be the best country in the world for raising children. While many countries with population shortages encourage childbirth, Singapore has taken concrete action. Raising children in Singapore is perhaps the easiest. From pregnancy and birth, to childcare and kindergarten, from primary education to tertiary institutions, the Singapore government has not only established a comprehensive system but also provides substantial subsidies. The government bears the majority of education expenses, allowing families to provide their children with a good education for a minimal cost.
Just how affordable is it to raise a child in Singapore? Take a look at this chart to get an idea:
Source: Ministry of Education, Singapore
In contrast, raising a child in any other first-tier city in Asia to receive a similar quality of education is significantly more expensive. Starting from kindergarten, with high tuition fees, various enrichment classes and tutorials, and daunting “school district” housing prices, a family’s expenditure on a child’s education can average around 1 million RMB.
Regardless of whether its path can be replicated, or how unique its historical standing is, there is much about Singapore that is worth exploring.
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