An analysis of the basic situation of the middle class in Singapore

Some people compare Singapore's middle class to being sandwiched between the upper and lower classes? Sandwich class? On the one hand, with the intensification of social competition, they cannot squeeze into the high-income class; On the other hand, they can't get all kinds of welfare subsidies provided by the state like the low-income class. In the overall economic situation is not good, the plight of the middle class is particularly prominent. This is because in the field of production, the middle class is often a group that manages workers on behalf of employers. When the economy declines and enterprises shrink, many enterprises are often the first to abolish middle-level management positions, which also explains why the middle class in various countries generally feel greater pressure on life.

However, Singapore's middle class seems to be a special case. In Singapore, the middle class, like the low-income class, also enjoys many government subsidies. This is reflected in Singapore's public housing policy. In most countries, public housing is a special treatment for the low-income class. Under the generous public housing policy of the Singapore government, more than 90% of Singapore citizens are eligible to buy at a price far below the market price? HDB？ The excluded 10% is the affluent class of Singapore society. In the impression of many people, public houses are relatively simple and cannot be compared with the so-called? Middle class life? In proportion. But can HDB in Singapore be called? Luxury? Many apartments have three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious and bright living room. Not only that, the government's maintenance of HDB apartments is also in place. In recent days, the author rented it. HDB？ I'm decorating. The renovation includes replacing pipes and wires in all bathrooms and kitchens, repaving waterproof materials and tiles, installing new toilets and shower facilities, and installing brand-new security doors. Because the whole project is funded by the government, the author's landlord only needs to bear one tenth of the total renovation cost.

It can be said that similar welfare policies have built a comfortable greenhouse for the middle class in Singapore, so that they do not have to face difficulties. Someone once called Singapore? Air conditioning country? Under the effective central control of the government, people's material living conditions have been greatly improved. But this metaphor has another meaning, that is, just like the use of air conditioners leads to global warming, is Singapore's development model the same? Is it sustainable? problem

Some time ago, Singapore's demonstration against the government's introduction of immigrants was actually a challenge to Singapore's development model. For a long time, the Singapore government has been hoping to attract international talents through generous welfare treatment, so as to establish Singapore's talent advantage and attract international investment. However, with the arrival of new immigrants, the middle class in Singapore has also felt greater pressure. On the one hand, the cost of living is rising, on the other hand, wages are stagnant, so many people hope to force the government to change its immigration policy through their votes.

Many scholars have pointed out that after the founding of New China, Singapore has trained a large number of excellent skilled workers and university graduates who have mastered English, far ahead of neighboring countries and attracted international investors. However, with the development of neighboring countries, Singapore's advantages in talent are decreasing. Although restricting immigration can reduce domestic competition and let people in greenhouses breathe a sigh of relief temporarily, in the long run, similar policies will also force investors to find another highland where talents gather, and the operation of greenhouses will become unsustainable. If we want to re-establish our advantages, the middle class must make more efforts.