Year in Review: Snapshot of Singaporean Sentiments in 2023
With 2024 now upon us, we conducted our now-familiar annual survey with the Singaporean community to capture the essence of the year that was. From the biggest newsmakers to global headlines, and sentiments about the future, our Blackbox 'Year in Review' survey provides intriguing insights into the collective consciousness of Singaporeans.
Politicians, Popstars, and Putin: The Newsmakers of 2023
2023 was a dramatic year, providing headline writers with plenty to work with around the world. Starting close to home, though, we wanted to know who respondents saw as the biggest Singaporean newsmaker of 2023. Offered a host of names to choose from, it was the political figures who stood out. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emerged as Singapore’s top newsmaker of 2023, chosen by one-in-four (26%), closely followed by newly-elected President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (20%). Tan Chuan-Jin’s spot in third (12%) is unsurprising, after his dramatic mid-year resignation as Speaker of Parliament following revelations of an extra-marital affair setting tongues wagging.
Prominent Singaporeans in other fields found it difficult to unseat the political giants. Despite Shanti Pereira's historic and heroic athletic achievements - winning Singapore’s first athletics medal at the Asian Games since 1974 - only 5% chose her as top newsmaker. Similarly, Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s CEO, was a short-term sensation when testifying in front of the US Congress in March, but his star seems to have faded by year-end and he captured only 2% of the vote.
On the international stage, pop princess Taylor Swift (with 13% of the vote) was named global newsmaker of the year by Singaporeans, surpassing the likes of tech mogul Elon Musk (11%) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (10%). It seems that catchy tunes can trump tweets and tanks after all! And in a victory for Asian entertainment, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar win led to her being selected by 6% of respondents, showing Singaporeans found her even more newsworthy than Presidents Biden (5%), Xi Xinping (4%), and King Charles (4%)!
Top News Stories: Global Conflicts and Local Scandals
The year 2023 wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, with bloody wars dominating headlines. Delving into the most impactful news stories, the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict was seen as the biggest story of the year, followed closely by the Russian-Ukraine War. Despite the media’s waning focus on the latter, our survey shows it remains a heavy presence in the minds of Singaporeans, perhaps owing to the conflict’s global economic ramifications.
Closer to home, the ongoing money laundering scandal in Singapore grabbed the third spot, while the cost-of-living crisis and Minister Iswaran’s arrest came in joint-fourth. This reminds us that domestic issues – especially ones as dramatic as in these cases – capture the attention of the local community just as much as some of the huge geopolitical global stories.
A Glass Half-Full? Singaporeans Have Broadly Fond Reflections of 2023
Despite the challenges, Singaporeans seem to be an optimistic bunch. More than half (57%) believe Singapore is a better place and 53% feel happier today than compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, exactly half of respondents say that 2023 was one of the most memorable years of their lives, with younger Singaporeans having a better year than their older cohorts: three-in-five (60%) under 40s had a memorable 2023, compared to only 43% of those over 40.
Not everyone was chirpy about 2023, though. Things may look pretty good at home, but the view outside the window is grimmer – only 45% feel the world is a better place today compared to 12 months ago. Moreover, 29% told us that one of their biggest life regrets happened in 2023, and two-in-five (43%) would like to relive the year all over again if they had the chance!
Outlook for 2024: Practicality, Politics, and Pop Culture Again!
Looking ahead, our survey explored what Singaporeans are most eagerly anticipating in 2024. The majority (58%) expressed a desire for better economic conditions, such as lower inflation and interest rates, while the impending appointment of Lawrence Wong as Prime Minister emerged as the second most anticipated event (27%), as Singaporeans understandably look forward to the first national leadership succession in two decades.
Interestingly, entertainment closely follows politics, with 21% expressing excitement about Taylor Swift’s upcoming concerts in Singapore. Delving deeper into generational preferences, these concerts ranked as the second overall choice for those under 40 (30%), while only 15% of those above 40 selected it. We reckon the older cohort won’t be listening to “You need to calm down” anytime soon!
Our ‘Year in Review’ survey serves as a useful snapshot of Singaporean perspectives and reflections at the turn of the year. It shows us that Singaporeans are pragmatic yet optimistic, yearning for stability while not forgetting the joy of a good pop song!
Let’s see what 2024 has in store for the city-state in what promises to be an eventful period politically, economically and socially. As always, Blackbox will be observing closely to capture and communicate the sentiments of the community.
Reach out to us on connect@blackbox.com.sg to explore how we can work together in 2024 and beyond!
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