The Claim by ESI that Singaporeans are the Happiest People in Asia (Online)

Calvin Chu Yee Ming, a partner at Eden Strategy Institute. "He has advised over a hundred Fortune 500 clients in more than 20 countries" [ESI]

Background

Eden Strategy Institute (ESI) made headlines by claiming that Singaporeans are Asia's happiest people online.

Citations

Eden Strategy Institute

"Singaporeans are Asia’s happiest people online"

Today Online

"Contrary to perception — backed up by a Gallup poll last year that claimed the fewest number of adults here experienced positive emotions — a survey based on what people are saying on social media claims that Singaporeans are among Asia’s happiest people."

Jentrified Citizen

"Eden Strategy Institute (ESI) made a flawed claim that Singaporeans are the Happiest in Asia using a survey based on what people are saying on social media."
"Essentially, this survey was done without interviewing anyone for their views on whether they are happy or unhappy."

The Heart Truths

A rather comprehensive rebutal
"When I first saw the article, ‘Singaporeans among Asia’s happiest, says social media survey’ in the Today newspaper, I did not know which part of the article to pick on, because every part could be easily refuted."
"only 5 countries were surveyed in this index and they are all in the South and Southeast Asian region."
"Eden Strategy Institute is actually based in Singapore"

Comments

I think this survey result will make people even angrier than they already are. They will probably be even more vocal to voice out their dissatisfaction fearing that their grievances have not been heard.
I now also have much less respect for ESI and the associated people due to this very dubious Happiness Index Score. This issue does not reflect very well on the abilities of Singapore companies.

The 16 Feb 2013 Protest Against Population White Paper

5000 people were estimated to attend the event via Singapore Election Watch

Background

A gathering was organised to show displeasure against the government's Population White Paper. The upper estimate of 6.9 million people by 2030 angers many people who are already complaining of overcrowding. In June 2012, the population was 5.31 million [Population White Paper].

Citations

Yawning Bread

Summary of talks and videos. "The protest held on Saturday, 16 February 2013, against the government’s 6.9 million population White Paper saw the second largest crowd ever at Hong Lim Park."

Facebook Event

"Protest against the 6.9 million population target by 2030. We welcome foreigners to join us for the event as we are discussing mainly on the flawed policies of the government."

Comments

Showing displeasure by gathering at a designated public place peacefully is better than rioting and throwing expletives online. Attending such event is also a way to display disagreement. This is better than bottling such emotions and harbouring negative emotions. In other words, it is a stress-relieving event.

The Population White Paper

Thousands of people gathered to show displeasure regarding Population White Paper via Al Jazeera

Background

"The paper, released by the National Population and Talent Division, said the total population could range between 6.5 and 6.9 million by 2030." [Yahoo! News Singapore]

Citations

Yahoo! News Singapore

"The projection sparked furious online reactions from citizens, with some saying it was time to emigrate."

Al Jazeera

"An aging population coupled with dwindling birth rates, escalating housing prices, overcrowding, and caving infrastructure are just some of the factors responsible for the rising dissent among Singaporeans."

Comments

Singapore is already one of the most crowded countries in the world. Further growth in population will only lead to larger problems associated with overcrowding. Are there plans to tackle these problems? How do we expect the population to change after 2030?

The Argument that Economic Growth Requires Population Increase

More people, more economic activities, higher economic growth? via TRS

Background

The Population White Paper generates much debate and opinions about the links between economic growth and population.

Citations

Donald Low, Yeoh Lam Keong, Tan Kim Song, Manu Bhaskaran

These 4 are Vice Presidents of the Economic Society of Singapore. "The debate on the Population White Paper has surfaced a number of myths and fallacies that seem to dominate the current discussion on Singapore's population policies."..."Myth #3: Denser, larger populations create significant economic benefits for cities."..."Economics is not, and should not be, the only lens through which we examine, analyse and debate our country’s population policies."

Comments

I think whether economy grows in tandem with population growth depends on the quality of the population. Add an entrepreneur to the population and new economic activities are generated. Add a low skilled foreign worker to the population and no new economic activity is generated.