Approximately seven in 10 Singapore residents feel positive about their overall quality of life post-pandemic, according to an online poll commissione
Approximately seven in 10 Singapore residents feel positive about their overall quality of life post-pandemic, according to an online poll commissioned by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI). The poll was conducted to understand the impact of Covid-19 on Singaporeans, and was shared in a press release on Sunday, March 19.
A total of 1,052 Singapore residents aged 15 and above participated in the survey, which was conducted by the Singapore-based research organization RySense from Jan. 21 to Feb. 6, 2023.
72 per cent rate overall quality of life as the same or better
The survey examined 10 key aspects of life, such as relationships with neighbors, work-life balance, and managing physical, mental, and financial needs. Around 72 per cent of respondents reported that their overall quality of life in 2023 was the same or better compared to 2019, before the pandemic.
Notably, 77 per cent said that their family relationships had strengthened or remained the same during the pandemic, while 71 per cent reported the same for friendships. Additionally, 82 per cent said their relationships with neighbors had either improved or stayed consistent.
Over 70 per cent of respondents also felt that they were still able to manage their physical health, mental health, and finances as well as they had before, or even better, post-pandemic.
Positive trend in overall quality of life today
When asked to rate their current quality of life, 69 per cent of Singaporeans described it as “Good” or “Very Good.” Ratings of “Poor” or “Very Poor” were low across the 10 surveyed life aspects.
Even among the 28 per cent of respondents who said their quality of life had worsened compared to pre-pandemic times, at least six in 10 rated specific aspects of their life as the same or better, indicating a general trend of recovery, according to the MCI.
Around 70 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in Singapore’s ability to handle future pandemics well, showing trust in the country, the government, the healthcare system, and the community.
Youths and unemployed more impacted by Covid-19
However, the poll also revealed differences in sentiment based on age. Youths aged 15 to 19 were more likely to report a decline in their quality of life (38 per cent) and their ability to manage mental health (37 per cent) compared to the general population, possibly due to the pandemic’s impact on social activities.
Respondents with multiple dependents, such as those living with elderly family members or children, were more likely to report a “Poor” or “Very Poor” quality of life compared to the general population (18 per cent vs. 10 per cent).
Unemployed respondents also expressed lower confidence in Singapore’s ability to cope with another pandemic, with 16 per cent feeling uncertain compared to 7 per cent of the general population.
White Paper on Singapore’s Covid-19 response
These findings come after the release of the White Paper on Singapore’s Covid-19 response by the Prime Minister’s Office on March 8. The paper highlighted the successes and areas of improvement in Singapore’s handling of the pandemic, drawing from insights from government reviews and the internal examination led by former Head of Civil Service Peter Ho.
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