Today-Aug 5
Around three in five young people (64 per cent) felt satisfied with their lives in 2022, based on a study that followed more than 3,000 Singaporeans aged between 17 and 24 over a period of six years from 2017 to 2022. While this number dropped from 74 per cent in 2017, its researchers said that the general downward trend is consistent with global figures, and reflects a typical life experience where levels of happiness tend to wane as people enter their 20s. The study also found that two in five of the respondents (39 per cent) had never been in a relationship — with the main barrier being that they had not met the right person yet. Other reasons commonly given included having more important priorities in life, with some finding dating in Singapore stressful in terms of “expenses and expectations”. Researchers said that limited opportunities for social interactions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic could have caused what they called a “surprising” statistic. The study, titled Youth Study on Transitions and Evolving Pathways in Singapore (Youth Steps), is a collaboration between the National Youth Council (NYC) and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Social Lab at the National University of Singapore.
Youth Steps is the nation’s first longitudinal study on young people and explores their life satisfaction, key aspirations and priorities as they moved from adolescence to adulthood. Mr David Chua, the chief executive officer of NYC, said at a briefing with the media on Monday (Aug 5) that the study’s insights are important in informing policies from both the Government and stakeholders involved with youth development in order to help them thrive. When it comes to life’s priorities, “having a good career” was ranked second among the respondents’ top life goals in the next five years, coming just below “being in good health” and above “having lots of money”. Read more at: https://www.todayonline.com/news/youth-survey-life-satisfaction-relationship-ips-nyc-2471126
