Cost of living tops Singaporeans’ concerns, especially among past WP and PSP voters
PAP voters are also more likely to consider healthcare and economic growth as key national issues
A recent YouGov survey reveals that Singaporeans remain deeply engaged in the country’s political landscape, with a significant percentage expressing interest in both politics and key national issues. As the nation approaches its upcoming General Election, public sentiment and concerns over the country’s direction and key issues are becoming increasingly clear.
According to the survey, 57% of Singaporeans are actively interested in the country’s political scene, while 61% are engaged with issues related to the elections. Baby Boomers show the highest level of interest in both politics and election issues while the GenZ is the least concerned.
When asked about the country's trajectory, 58% of Singaporeans feel that Singapore is moving in the right direction. In contrast, 14% believe it is heading in the wrong direction, while 27% are uncertain.
Demographic differences in sentiment
Baby Boomers are the most optimistic demographic, with 66% agreeing that the country is on the right track. Millennials, however, show a more divided stance- only 50% feel the nation is heading in the right direction, while 34% remain uncertain. This highlights a higher degree of uncertainty within this group.
The survey also revealed notable gender differences in political sentiment. Women are more likely to believe that Singapore is heading in the right direction (61%) compared to men (56%). Conversely, men are more likely to think the country is headed in the wrong direction (18% of men vs. 11% of women).
Key themes on views around the nation’s trajectory
Singaporeans who feel the country is on the right track largely cited stability, safety, and strong governance as key reasons. Many expressed confidence in the country’s economic resilience and appreciated ongoing progress and development. There was also a sense of trust in the government’s accountability and leadership, with several expressing trust in current leadership to guide the country responsibly.
Those who feel the country is heading in the wrong direction pointed to growing economic strain and socio-economic factors. Many expressed frustrations over perceived gaps in wealth distribution. Government accountability and policy decisions, particularly around immigration and broader political issues, were also cited as areas of dissatisfaction. These responses reflect a sense of unease about whether current policies are meeting the needs of all citizens.
Top national issues
YouGov survey identifies several critical issues concerning the public. Cost of living stands out as the most pressing concern, with a significant 72% of Singaporeans citing it as the top issue. Following behind is the issue of healthcare and the aging population, with 41% of respondents considering it a major concern. Housing affordability and availability also ranks highly, with 36% of respondents noting it as a significant issue.
Generational differences emerge when considering which issues are prioritized. Healthcare is a larger concern for older generations, particularly Gen X and Baby Boomers, who are more focused on the nation’s ability to provide adequate healthcare for an aging population. In contrast, housing affordability is a more pressing issue for Millennials and Gen Z, who are particularly concerned with the challenges of entering the property market.
Political preferences and the cost of living
Voters who supported opposition parties in the 2020 General Election, including the Workers' Party and the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), are more likely to view the cost of living as the primary issue facing the nation. While cost of living is a top concern among PAP voters as well, they are also more likely to emphasize healthcare (47%) and economic growth and stability (24%) as key national issues.
Methodology
YouGov interviewed 1845 Singaporean citizens aged 21 years and above between March 25 and April 1, 2025. The effective margin of error on this survey is ±3.099%. YouGov conducts its polling using active sampling techniques from our online panel. When using Active Sampling, restrictions are put in place to ensure that only the people contacted are allowed to participate. We target specific demographics to ensure that the final sample is representative of the population by age, gender, ethnicity, and electorate. This approach is used for YouGov polling globally.