Living in Singapore: What Makes It a Great Place to Live

1^st

in Asia for quality of living¹

1^st

in Asia for expats to live in²

3^rd

safest city in the world³

Thinking about living in Singapore? Known for its exceptional quality of life, Singapore combines safety, political stability and world-class infrastructure with a vibrant, multicultural lifestyle.

Beyond its strong fundamentals, Singapore offers a dynamic environment where global talent and businesses thrive, alongside diverse dining, arts and entertainment, and easy access to the rest of Asia. This article explores what makes living in Singapore such an attractive choice.

Alternatively, learn more about hiring, working and living in Singapore, and why moving to Singapore is the smart move.

#1: Singapore is a safe country

You and your family can live in Singapore with the confidence that your personal safety is always in good hands.

Singapore is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in the world, with consistently low crime rates, a transparent legal system, and a reliable police force supported by proactive citizens.

Percentage of people who feel safe
walking alone at night

Singapore

95%

Worldwide

71%

Source: Gallup, 2022 Global Law and Order Report (Gallup World Poll)

#2: Singapore offers an excellent quality of life

High standard of living
World-class healthcare
Top-notch education
Easy commuting

Our residents enjoy political stability, low crime rates, and excellent healthcare, education, housing, recreation and transport options. Some of the world’s most beautiful countries are also just a short flight away from Singapore. The standard of living in Singapore continues to be affordable and is rated among the best in the world.

Quality of living – Top cities in Asia

Source: Monocle, Quality of Life Survey 2022

Moving to Singapore gives you and your family access to our internationally recognised healthcare system. Our state-of-the-art medical facilities are readily accessible and include public, private and community hospitals, and national specialty centres.

View a list of hospitals in Singapore

World-class healthcare in Singapore

1^st in the world

Most efficient healthcare system (2020)⁽ⁱ⁾

28 billion

acute and community hospitals⁽ⁱⁱ⁾

public polyclinics⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

>2,400

private general practitioners in residential estates^(iv)

Sources: (i) The Straits Times, "Asia trounces US in health-efficiency index amid Covid-19 pandemic", 18 December 2020; (ii)(iii)(iv) Ministry of Health, Health Facilities. Accessed 10 February 2023.

Singapore places great emphasis on education. Our quality of primary and secondary education is among the best in the world, and we have a reputation for excellence in math and science. Our local universities and tertiary institutes are also world-class, consistently ranking top in global indexes.

Choose from a variety of public and private schools and institutions offering pre-school to tertiary education.

Browse a list of schools in Singapore

Quality education in Singapore

1^st in the world

in Formal Education⁽ⁱ⁾

1^st in the world

for science and mathematics⁽ⁱⁱ⁾

>30

foreign system schools⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

Sources: (i) INSEAD, The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2022; (ii) Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMISS) 2019; (iii) The Business Times, “Singapore seeks to attract more foreign system schools”, 28 April 2015

Getting around Singapore is a breeze. With our carefully designed roads, traveling within Singapore is smooth and efficient. In fact, it will take you less than 1.5 hours to travel from east to west by bus, train, taxi or private-hire car.

Cities with excellent urban mobility

Source: Oliver Wyman Forum & Berkeley University of California, Urban Mobility Readiness Index 2022

#3: Singapore is a City in a Garden

With hundreds of parks, nature reserves, mangroves, tidal flats and coral reefs in Singapore, we are no concrete jungle. In fact, we are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including a few famous otter families.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens, our first UNESCO Heritage site, and the award-winning Gardens by the Bay are especially popular.

Learn about our nature and recreational facilities

>40%

Land area covered in green spaces

Source: Ministry of National Development, "Written answer by MND on green cover", 12 September 2022

>100,000

Trees planted in Singapore yearly, under the OneMillionTrees movement

Source: The Straits Times, Singapore hits almost 40% of target to plant one million more trees by 2030, 20 August 2022

10min

Walking time to a park for any household
by 2030

Source: SG Green Plan, Our Targets. Accessed 10 February 2023.

Singapore – A green city oasis

>370km

Total length of interlinked park connectors

Source: National parks (NP), Annual Report 2021-22

550ha

Total size of nature parks by 2030

Source: MND, “Speech by 2M Desmond Lee at the Committee of Supply Debate 2020”, 4 March 2020

1,300km

Projected length of cycling path network
by 2030

Source: Land Transport Authority (LTA), Cycling. Accessed 10 February 2023.

>40%

Land area covered in green spaces

Source: Ministry of National Development, "Written answer by MND on green cover", 12 September 2022

>370km

Total length of interlinked park connectors

Source: National parks (NP), Annual Report 2021-22

>100,000

Trees planted in Singapore yearly, under the OneMillionTrees movement

Source: The Straits Times, Singapore hits almost 40% of target to plant one million more trees by 2030, 20 August 2022

550ha

Total size of nature parks by 2030

Source: MND, “Speech by 2M Desmond Lee at the Committee of Supply Debate 2020”, 4 March 2020

10min

Walking time to a park for any household
by 2030

Source: SG Green Plan, Our Targets. Accessed 10 February 2023.

1,300km

Projected length of cycling path network
by 2030

Source: Land Transport Authority (LTA), Cycling. Accessed 10 February 2023.

#4: Singapore offers a vibrant city life

Food paradise

Top sporting action

Lively creative arts scene

Nightlife destination

Singapore Unfolded City Guides

Explore Singapore through recommendations curated from local creative duo 8EyedSpud and discover the endless possibilities Singapore's vibrant city life has to offer.

Food & Drink (4.3MB)

Culture & Heritage (4.6MB)

Art & Design (3.3MB)

After Hours (3.0MB)

Information accurate at time of publishing on 31 May 2021. Please check for operation hours before visiting.

Invest in Singapore: Create what's next

Download (3.6MB)

More reasons to choose Singapore

Asia's economic powerhouse

Business-friendly environment

Global Connectivity and Future-ready Infrastructure

Global connectivity

References

Mercer, “Singapore tops Mercer's 21st Quality of Living Ranking for Asia”, 13 March 2019
HSBC, Expat Explorer 2021
The economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Safe Cities Index 2021

Living in Singapore: What Makes It a Great Place to Live

For Businesses

For Individuals

#1: Singapore is a safe country

#2: Singapore offers an excellent quality of life

High standard of living

World-class healthcare

Top-notch education

Easy commuting

#3: Singapore is a City in a Garden

#4: Singapore offers a vibrant city life

Food delivery

Art & theatre aficionados

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Singapore Unfolded City Guides

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