Singapore has a “happiness divide” – and it’s generational
The Straits Times
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Personally, I think pursuing happiness is a pointless endeavour. It’s like waking up and trying to remember a dream, the details of which elude your grasp the more you try to recollect.?
But in my quest for better mental health in 2024, I’m seeking out ways to overcome my naturally less-than-sunny disposition and become more aware of what affects my mood, including recognising when certain factors are beyond my control.?
I know I’m not alone in this effort. Mental health has been under the spotlight in Singapore recently and has even been debated in Parliament.?
Even so, two recent studies highlight a specific challenge. Last week, a World Happiness report indicated that Singapore was the happiest country in Asia —for a second time in a row—and 30th globally. Most readers here expressed disbelief.
A deeper dive revealed an interesting finding: a happiness generational divide between those aged below 30 and folks over 60. No prizes for guessing which group was happier.
This same generational schism emerged in a news story two weeks ago by my colleagues Krist Boo and Sue-Ann Cheow , who reported that younger workers aged below 40 were chronically less happy , even three times more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression than their older peers aged 50 and above.?
What gives? Has the Singapore narrative that doing well in school, getting a great job, and starting a family will lead to life contentment been disrupted? Does this explain why Singaporean youths are more unhappy than older folks?
Vikram Khanna takes a good, hard look at the first study and, more broadly, what provides long-term satisfaction. He concludes that it all boils down to one thing.
“Singapore’s old have benefited disproportionately from the significant expansion in healthcare spending in recent years, including subsidies which have targeted them, such as the Pioneer and Merdeka packages. Many have also enjoyed increases in their asset values – particularly property – since the 1970s, which the under-30 generation has not,” he explains.
Essentially, how happy you are can depend a lot on whether you have a positive expectation of the future (which can also impact whether you decide to have kids ).
— Lin Suling, Opinion Editor
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7 个月"?younger workers aged below 40 were chronically less happy, even three times more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression than their older peers aged 50 and above." "Many have also enjoyed increases in their asset values – particularly property – since the 1970s, which the under-30 generation has not,” "Essentially, how happy you are can depend a lot on whether you have a positive expectation of the future (which can also impact whether you decide to have kids)." Most of those below 40 have parents above 50. isn't it? But we are fortunate now. As the ratio of >50 to < 30 increases, and less them have kids, it might be the twenties that start feeling the burden. Regardless, relatively, Singapore still has it much better than most other developed nations. "Do well in school, get a great job, have a family - and you’ll be happy." has this ever been the Singapore narrative? ??