Assessment of 11% Decline in Reading on Trust that Next Generation of Singaporeans Would Be Better Off

Parliamentary Question by Mr Low Wu Yang Andre:

To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what is the Government’s assessment of the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer finding that only 31% of Singapore residents believe the next generation will be better off, a 11% decline from the previous year; and (b) whether internal Government data corroborates this decline in intergenerational optimism.

Parliamentary Reply by Senior Minister of State for Finance, Mr Jeffrey Siow:

The Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual global survey that captures public sentiment, which can be influenced by prevailing economic conditions and current events. The 2026 findings show a decline in intergenerational optimism and heightened concerns about jobs, not only in Singapore, but across many of the countries surveyed.

The Government regularly gathers feedback from Singaporeans on their aspirations and views about the future. Our own surveys do not indicate a comparable deterioration in the outlook of young Singaporeans. Beyond surveys, we also track objective indicators of inter-generational mobility. Previously published data show that Singapore has performed well in sustaining social mobility compared to other advanced economies. We will release updated findings in due course.