Survey shows S’poreans place financial security as top priority
By Chio Su-mei
SINGAPORE : Nine in ten Singaporeans feel that life is getting more stressful, and they want more fun!
Financial worries also top the list, as 99 percent think they need more money to survive.
These are some findings from 500 respondents in an online survey conducted in September last year.
The survey is part of a 16-nation Asia Pacific study called the “Eye on Asia” conducted by advertising and marketing firm Grey Group late last year.
And it found that 82 percent of Asians found life stressful, with South Korea topping the list at 96 percent.
Singapore fared close with 90 percent.
“Having studied in Australia for the last five years, and worked in Australia, life here it’s comparably more stressful having to work longer hours, shorter rest time,” said one respondent.
“No, I don’t think it’s very stressful at all, because it really depends on how an individual manage his or her time, you know, your workload and stuff like that,” said another.
And perhaps that is why 93 percent of Singaporeans think it’s more important to engage in enjoyable activities, than have material possessions.
This is higher than the Asian and Western average of 85 percent.
The Western countries polled were the US, UK, France and Germany.
All Singaporean respondents listed financial security as a top priority, and 99 percent think they need more money to survive, while only half (52 percent) feel financially secure,
“I’ve got savings plans with insurance companies and various institutions, so to a certain extent, I think I’ve got myself covered in that sense. But how well am I prepared for retirement? I can’t really say,” said one respondent.
About 82 percent of Singaporeans are willing to engage in environmentally-friendly practices, which is more than the Western average of 78 percent, but lower than the Asian average of 86 percent.
“In the office, print less paper, reuse, recycle the paper, and the government should set up more recycle dustbins”
But only 57 percent of Singaporeans would pay more for green products.
“I think factory farming is unnatural. And so from that perspective, I think that’s not very environmentally-friendly. Choose to go free-range and buy food that’s ethically produced.”
Looking ahead, 93 per cent of Singaporeans are confident that the nation will rise to become even more of an Asian powerhouse.
“We’ve plans for the integrated resorts, we’ve got plans for the Youth Olympics that they just announced. So I think we’re going to do quite well,” said one Singaporean
“I mean, if we travel enough, we will really understand and appreciate the goodness that we have.”
So perhaps, there is quite a bit to look forward to. - CNA/ch
Source : Channel NewsAsia - 24 Feb 2008
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