SINGAPORE: A Reddit user has expressed deep disillusionment with life in Singapore, saying he is “no longer proud to be a Singaporean” amid what he described as rising costs, growing inequality, and a sense of alienation in his own country.
In a post shared on the subreddit r/SingaporeRaw on 14 October, the 25-year-old reflected on his struggles as a young adult navigating an uncertain job market, where, he said, “money is so unstable, housing is so expensive, and transport fares are increasing whenever the government wants to.”
The user, who said he had served National Service (NS) as a combat-fit soldier, recalled feeling proud during his time in uniform.
“We suffered but loved our time there,” he wrote.
“I felt proud during my service, but now the realisation hit that we served a country whose leadership doesn’t love its citizens first, doesn’t appreciate Singaporeans.”
He went on to express frustration that the government appeared to prioritise foreigners and wealthy expatriates over locals.
“Instead they prefer foreigners more than locals, love the rich from other countries, while its own citizens suffer doing Grab deliveries, working overtime, staying in cheap housing,” he said.
He mocked the government’s distribution of financial aid, saying that while Singaporeans were offered GST and CDC vouchers, such assistance could not compensate for the loss of national identity.
He lamented that even at work, he rarely heard Singlish anymore, reflecting how foreign the country felt to him.
The user ended his post on a sombre note, lamenting that Singapore no longer feels like home.
“Singapore may be a country I call home, where the rivers flow or whatever, but I no longer feel proud of calling myself a Singaporean, and it’s diving deeper into a depressing and sad state.”
Netizens Echo Feelings of Disillusionment
Many users who commented under the post said they resonated with the author’s sentiments, sharing similar feelings of disconnection and disappointment.
One user, who mentioned being an ardent People’s Action Party (PAP) supporter, admitted that the perception of the party had changed over time.
“I’m 28 now, and after seeing everything from a slightly matured point of view, I just feel like running away. My country doesn’t feel like my country anymore. It just gets worse every time these politicians open their mouths.”
Another user agreed that the government had “lost its way”, saying that “the rich, many of whom are foreign, benefit more than true-blue citizens.”
A permanent resident also weighed in, saying Singapore’s social fabric had changed drastically over the years.
“The cultural decay I’m seeing is very disturbing. No pride in self or country from many of these new residents,” the user said, suggesting that “the government is failing to enforce its own laws to protect the citizens or our way of life.”
One user noted that pride and patriotism once defined the feeling of calling Singapore home, but recent years have prompted deeper questioning of what the country truly represents.
The commenter observed that those born between 1995 and the early 2000s are bearing the brunt of the after-effects of large-scale foreign talent migration, which began around 2008 following the Global Financial Crisis.
The influx of lower-cost foreign professionals in white-collar and specialist roles has allegedly deprived Singaporeans of opportunities to gain experience and develop expertise, the user said.
The commenter added that the government’s relentless pursuit of GDP and economic growth has come at the expense of nurturing Singapore’s most vital asset — its human capital.
Debate Over Patriotism and National Pride
While many empathised with the original poster, some users questioned why he was proud to be Singaporean in the first place.
“What were you proud of to begin with?” one commenter asked.
Others countered that such feelings of patriotism were natural when growing up but often faded when people encountered real-life struggles.
“Most people would normally grow up having a sense of pride for their country unless circumstances tell them not to,” one user explained.
Another recalled, “I had some sense of patriotism when I was younger too. Not sure when it started to dwindle, probably after entering the workforce.”
Calls for Unity
Some commenters called for Singaporeans to stand together in addressing perceived injustices rather than giving up on their identity.
One user pointed out that social discontent and migration challenges were not unique to Singapore, citing similar tensions in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“We have to speak up against any unfair treatment. If HR is favouring foreigners or hiring illegally, we need to expose them,” the user wrote, noting that most people tend to stay silent.
The user added that Singaporeans must remain united to preserve their identity, land, and culture.
Another commenter warned that uncontrolled immigration could erode social cohesion.
“We do need tough laws in place to ensure our country and citizens are not being compromised,” the user added.
K Shanmugam defends population rise to 6.11 million, says Singapore would collapse without foreign workers
Earlier, speaking at the Asia Future Summit on 9 October, Home Affairs and Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam defended Singapore’s population increase to 6.11 million, saying it is mainly driven by foreign workers essential to sustaining economic growth.
Responding to concerns about overcrowding and national identity, he emphasised that Work Permit holders form the backbone of key sectors such as construction, manufacturing, shipping, and F&B.
“We will collapse without them. The more of them, the more the economy grows,” he said, urging Singaporeans to view the data with nuance.
According to the Population in Brief 2025 report, total population rose 1.2 per cent from 2024, with non-residents increasing 2.7 per cent to 1.91 million — mainly construction and domestic workers.
In contrast, the resident population saw only a slight rise to 4.20 million.
Singapore granted 22,766 citizenships in 2024 — the highest ever — and 35,264 new permanent residencies, the most since 2010.
Shanmugam contrasted Singapore’s selective, contribution-based immigration policy with Europe’s broader approaches, noting that integration costs are borne by taxpayers and must suit local context.
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