Synopsis
A recent survey indicates that in 2024, two-thirds of Singaporeans rated the country's racial and religious harmony as high or very high, a significant rise from 2018. The survey reveals increased trust among racial groups and decreasing discrimination in public services and workplaces.Key Takeaways
- Two-thirds of respondents rated harmony as high or very high.
- Trust among racial groups has significantly increased.
- Discrimination in accessing public services remains rare.
- Workplace discrimination reports have decreased over the years.
- Public relationships show higher acceptance than personal ones.
Singapore, Feb 4 (NationPress) A significant two-thirds of respondents in 2024 have rated the nation's racial and religious harmony as high or very high, marking a considerable rise from 57.1 percent reported in 2018, as detailed in a recent survey.
Interestingly, racial minorities were more inclined to classify harmony as moderate, while older respondents showcased a tendency to perceive higher levels of harmony compared to their younger counterparts, pointed out by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), a research institute at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.
The survey further highlighted a remarkable increase in trust among various racial and religious communities. The percentage of respondents expressing distrust towards other racial groups dropped from 42.7 percent in 2013 to 27.2 percent in 2024.
Consistent with previous studies, acceptance of different races and religions was found to be highest in public interactions, such as with colleagues or neighbors, compared to personal relationships with in-laws or spouses.
Instances of discrimination in accessing public services remain minimal, with approximately 90 percent of participants indicating they were treated 'about the same' as others across all survey waves.
In the workplace, reports of discrimination have seen a decline, with only 7 percent of respondents in 2024 claiming they faced discrimination regarding a job or promotion, down from 9.3 percent in 2018. Among those who reported discrimination, the predominant forms included exclusion from conversations due to language (b>57.7 percent) and feelings of being overlooked for promotions, with 47.7 percent believing that others were promoted based on race rather than qualifications.
This survey, which is based on a representative sample of 4,000 Singaporean residents, also incorporates data from 2018 and 2013 for comparative analysis, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The IPS regularly conducts surveys to examine issues of significant national interest across diverse fields, aiming to gain insights into the attitudes and aspirations of citizens and residents. The fieldwork is carried out by the IPS Social Lab or by specialized survey research firms. The results are analyzed by IPS researchers and presented in publications and conferences. Notable studies include the Perception of Policies in Singapore (POPS) Survey Series and the Singapore Panel Study on Social Dynamics (SPSSD).
