Transport, healthcare remain challenges in Singapore

While the income inequality has been improving, Singapore still faces challenges of public transport and healthcare capacity.

The Ministry of Finance released the third issue of the Singapore Public Sector Outcomes Review (SPOR) on Thursday, raising the concerns.

The report, published once every two years, takes stock of whole-of-government policies and progress in meeting key national social, economic and infrastructural objectives.

On the positive side, it highlighted there has seen steady increase in the real incomes of low and middle-income Singaporeans over the past five years, with the Gini coefficient, an index reflecting the rich-poor gap, saw the first drop in 2013 since 2009.

The income increase, both at the individual and household levels, were attributed to the government's efforts in economic restructuring and lifelong learning, together with Singapore's progressive fiscal system, it added.

Despite the raise in income, the report also noted that labor productivity growth has generally been weak in recent years. And while crime rates fell to a record 30-year low in 2013, the Little India riot and the cyber attacks on government websites highlighted other risks faced by the country.

Looking ahead, the report highlighted some key challenges that might affect Singapore in the near future, such as public transport and healthcare capacity in face of the aging population.

In response, Ong Yunn Shing, director from the Ageing Planning Office in the Ministry of Health, said, "we are stepping up efforts to prepare Singapore for our aging population. We want to enable our seniors to age in place by promoting active aging so that they can stay physically and mentally healthy, and stay independent in the community." Enditem