With a vague title, this blogpost may eventually merge with a blogpost with a less vague title.

Why I care about poverty in my chosen country? It is subtle… Inequality, social unrest, financial strength of the government…

Q: why is poverty less widespread among Singapore nationals (Citizens + PRs) than U.S. and other countries?

— Reason: very high home ownership
— Reason: (my personal observation) price levels are generally lower than U.S., except raw foods
Inflation for basic necessities (not discretionary consumption) is, for decades, managed by a nanny state. Not managed in U.S. and many countries.

U.S. price levels can be very low, mostly due to efficient companies operating in free market. Government has much less control.

— Reason: SG government probably has a (not perfect but) functional system to keep track of every needy family including broken families. Arguably the most valuable feature of the “system” is adequate manpower. The system is not perfect but is far more effective than other countries in case-management to keep each needy family from falling behind.

In the U.S. the church and charity organizations play this role at a smaller scale. The case load is much higher per 1000 families, so they can’t cope.

— Reason: less freedom to bring yourself into poverty.
Many [1] people fall into poverty due to self-management (including self-discipline). They must want to be successful before a system can help them avoid/escape poverty. Singapore government leaves less room for “wrong moves” including falling off the train.

Strict control on gambling, debt, alcohol, drugs. Education system is compulsory, stressful and competitive. Savings are compulsory. The problem kids are identified early and put through years of tough programs. The systems push them to work harder, make the best of themselves and not rely on the system.

I have heard of many Singaporeans speaking of “hard to survive in Singapore” and “easier life in western countries”. Some (not all) of them don’t want to be very successful and would rather have an easy (lazy) life. Some of them would spend and gamble their way into poverty.

If you just want to be poor and become a problem to the Singapore system, then you have to work hard to remain poor. As long as you are on their radar, they will come and push you to work harder.

— Reason (minor): The government has numerous training programs to up-skill the unskilled Singaporeans.

[1] In every country, some percentage of the poor actually want to be successful i.e. work hard, but are stuck. The most valuable help IMO is training.