Half of Singaporeans polled are happy with social support, 1 in 4 willing to pay more taxes to enhance welfare

While just over half of 1,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents polled felt the Government was doing enough to support less well-off families, only about one in four was willing to pay higher taxes for more support programmes.

The same survey also found that a majority felt the Government did not provide sufficient social support for the “sandwiched generation” – working adults who care for both elderly parents and children.

Those who most felt this way were aged between 35 and 44, followed by those in the 25 to 34 age group.

The 35 to 44 age group was also least willing to pay higher taxes for more support programmes (17 per cent).

This was according to findings from a survey commissioned by The Straits Times and conducted by market research firm Milieu Insight in September.

The survey was meant to gather Singaporeans’ thoughts on the six key pillars of the Forward Singapore nationwide engagement exercise. The pillars include jobs and the economy, health and social support, as well as environment and fiscal sustainability.

The others are education and lifelong learning, home and living environment, and the Singapore identity.

Read the full feature on The Straits Times.

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