Ahead of Budget 2025: The Hot Topics in Public Discourse

Social Media Conversations Shaping Budget 2025

To assess public sentiment ahead of Budget 2025, Truescope analysed social media conversations in Singapore from Oct 7 to Jan 7, revealing key topics such as Healthcare, Wages and Employment, Housing, and Food.

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1. Healthcare: Rising Costs and Public Sentiment
Discussions on healthcare affordability surged, fueled by concerns over rising medical expenses and workforce challenges. While government relief packages received appreciation, overall engagement on healthcare topics saw a decline.

2. Wage & Employment: The SkillsFuture Credit Debate
The conversation on wages and employment saw a shift, with SkillsFuture Credit sparking debate. Public sentiment varied as discussions around workforce initiatives gained traction despite a general decline in engagement.

3. Housing: Affordability and HDB Deficit in Focus
Housing affordability remained a key topic, with public discourse centering on HDB’s financial deficit and its impact on fiscal policy. Citizens voiced their perspectives on accessibility and long-term housing sustainability.

4. Food Prices: Affordability at the Forefront
Food affordability, particularly hawker food prices, became a major point of discussion. Key moments in the debate highlighted shifts in public sentiment and policy responses to cost-of-living concerns.

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Healthcare dominated buzz (47.0%), followed by Wage and Employment (25.6%), Housing (16.1%), and Food (11.4%).

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1. Healthcare‍

Rising Healthcare Costs Sparked Talks, But Engagement Dropped

Healthcare generated 938 Total Mentions, 101.1% higher than on the same period last year. However, it saw a 4.8% decline in Social Engagements, with 24,935 Interactions recorded this year.

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Majority of discussions took place on HardwareZone (64.6%) and Reddit (18.3%).

• Netizens noted that high healthcare and living costs make it hard to afford annual checkups.
• Netizens shared receiving government support to help with rising healthcare costs.

Facebook generated 10.4% of the buzz, and Instagram 4.6%, with both platforms sharing healthcare initiatives. Despite limited discussions, netizens reacted positively to the posts.

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Hot Topics in Healthcare: What's Capturing Attention?

Nov 23 2024 (106 Volume): The peak in discussions was driven by conversations about healthcare costs and related topics. Reddit users highlighted the role of doctors in Singapore’s healthcare system, noting their pivotal status and positive contributions.

Meanwhile, discussions on HardwareZone explored rising healthcare expenses in the context of broader living costs, such as housing and utilities, with participants reflecting on the challenges of balancing medical bills with current wage trends. Adding to the buzz were mentions of MediSave top-ups, recognised as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to support healthcare affordability for Singaporeans.

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Nov 25 2024 (59 Volume): Driven by posts relating to several healthcare-related benefits under the Assurance Package and Majulah Package for December 2024, including support for healthcare costs and retirement savings. Some netizens discussed receiving $600 cash plus $500 Medisave contributions, compared to previous year's $800 cash payment.

Nov 28 2024 (8,022 Social Engagements): This spike was driven by SGAG’s post on Instagram on the Assurance Package cash payouts for adult Singaporeans, ranging from $200 to $600 for daily expenses, along with CPF MediSave Bonus of $300 to $2000 for healthcare needs in December. This post received 7,700 Likes.

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Rising Healthcare Costs in Singapore Fuelled Conversations on Affordability and Medical Workforce Challenges

Healthcare cost came under the spotlight after CNA’s article, “Healthcare costs are rising in Singapore. Is there really nothing we can do about it?” ignited discussions.

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• Netizens shared their struggles affording healthcare, lamenting that falling ill in Singapore is unaffordable.
• In response to rising costs from an ageing population, netizens suggested legalising euthanasia or limiting subsidies to critical cases.
• Regarding manpower shortages, netizens agreed that higher pay for healthcare professionals, especially nurses, is justified due to their challenging work.

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Govt's Relief Packages Shone Online, Earning Gratitude for Easing Living and Healthcare Costs

• Government support to help alleviate cost of living pressures and offset healthcare expenses were well-received by the digital public. Posts relating to the Majulah Package and MediSave Bonus received favourable responses, with netizens expressing gratitude and sharing heart emojis.

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2. Wage and Employment

Skillsfuture Credit Ignited Debate Amid Decline in Wage and Employment Buzz

Wage and Employment garnered 505 buzz, reflecting a 30.0% decline compared to the same period last year. Similarly, Social Engagements for this topic dropped by 87.7% this month, totalling 11,070 Interactions.

HardwareZone was the main channel of chatter concerning Wage and Employment (68.5%), followed by Facebook (13.7%), and Reddit (9.9%). Discussions on these platforms were centred on the SkillsFuture Credit Usage.

• Netizens expressed concerns about its effectiveness, with some suggesting allowing SkillsFuture credits to be used for practical skills like motorcycle or driving licence. Concurrently, discussions about platform work emerged in the context of retraining and alternative employment options. Some were considering it as a supplementary income source, with reports of earning potential through services like Grab.
• Reddit had positive narratives, with members sharing success stories of using SkillsFuture credits for professional development, such as completing diploma courses that facilitated career advancement.

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On Instagram (5.5% share), mentions were driven by posts highlighting key workforce initiatives, including:

• The SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme to support mid-career Singaporeans aged 40 and above.
• The launch of SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme to provide financial assistance for the involuntarily unemployed.
• The implementation of the Progressive Wage Credit scheme to ensure economic benefits are shared across society.

While these Instagram posts were informative, they generated significantly less engagement compared to the active discussions observed in forums.

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Wage & Work: What's Sparking the Buzz and Engagements

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Nov 13 2024 (5,514 Social Engagements): This surge in Social Engagement was due to a post (5,500 Likes) by Instagram personality Naomi Neo, highlighting the availability of various subsidies including the SkillsFuture Credit at NAFA CLE. She specifically mentioned that the SkillsFuture Credit One-Time Top-up will expire on December 31, 2025, and encouraged followers to take advantage of course offerings between February 3 and March 9, 2025

Nov 20 2024 (82 Volume): This hike was driven by a discussion on HardwareZone, which revealed concerns about potential misuse of SkillsFuture credits, where training companies allegedly engage in fraudulent practices. The described scheme involves companies offering overpriced courses (around $3,000-$4,000) using SkillsFuture credits, with some instances of fake attendance records and illegal rebates to participants

Nov 28 2024 (83 Volume): Driving this peak were discussions about perceived flaws in the SkillsFuture Credit scheme, with some suggesting alternative approaches. One proposal advocated scrapping individual SkillsFuture credits in favour of providing credits directly to companies that hire Singaporeans.

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Skillsfuture Credit: Public Perception and the Impact of Workforce Initiatives

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Discussions on SkillsFuture Credit raised concerns about whether government initiatives are effectively addressing unemployment and wage stagnation or just surface-level solutions.

Posts about the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme received positive responses, with many Thumbs Up and Heart reactions, showing strong public interest and approval of jobseeker initiatives.

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3. Housing

Affordability and HDB Deficit Stirred Key Debates

Housing generated 318 Total Mentions, a 4.5% downturn from the same period last year. Conversely, its Social Engagements saw a 27.0% upturn, reaching 10,531 this year.

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The bulk of discussions on Housing Affordability took place on HardwareZone Forum (69.2%) and Reddit (18.9%).

• Netizens expressed concern about affording smaller housing units, with some finding 2-room BTOs difficult to afford.
• Conversations also mentioned HDB’s $6.775 billion deficit, viewed by some as necessary to maintain housing affordability despite the strain.

Despite substantial housing grants (up to $230,000 for resale flats), Facebook conversations (8.2%) suggest many still find housing costs challenging.

On Instagram (2.2%), netizens responded positively to substantial housing grants, especially up to $230,000 for resale flats and $120,000 for new ones. The announcement allowing eligible singles to apply for 2-room Flexi BTO flats anywhere also generated positive engagement, with users appreciating the expanded options and increased grants.

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Key Moments in Singapore's Housing Buzz

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Oct 22 2024 (36 Volume): This hike was driven by discussions on HardwareZone on the announcement of new affordable homes in Sembawang North and Woodlands North. There was particular interest in the starting price point of $350,000 for   four-room flats, which is notably lower than current resale prices in the area ($540,000 to $590,000). Concerns on the BTO application process were also noted on this day, highlighting lengthy waiting times.

Oct 25 2024 (7,639 Social Engagements): This spike in social engagements was driven by SGAG’s Instagram post about housing options for young couples, highlighting government housing grants of up to $120,000 for BTO flats and up to $230,000 for resale flats, aimed at making homes more affordable for Singaporeans, including singles. This post received 7,500 likes.

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The HDB Deficit: Public Views on Affordability and Fiscal Policy

• Reports on the HBD deficit triggered scepticism about its implications for long-term housing policy, questioning whether current frameworks are fiscally responsible.
• Netizens tied the issue to broader political accountability, using the deficit as a rallying point to advocate for informed voting in upcoming elections.
• Others called for greater transparency in the policies directed at addressing deficits to improve the trust in the system.
• Members of the digital public viewed the deficit as a necessary measure to sustain housing affordability despite the financial strain it represents

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4. Food

Hawker Food Frenzy: Turning Point in the Affordability Debate

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Oct 16 2024 (368 Social Engagements): The surge on Social Media Engagements on this day was pushed by Smart Nation Singapore’s post that highlighted the evolution of the GoWhere platform, which now supports over 30 government initiatives like CDCVouchersGoWhere, BudgetMealGoWhere, and SupportGoWhere. This post received 305 Likes on Facebook.

Nov 14 2024 (325 Social Engagements): The Online Citizen’s post on Facebook regarding NCMP Leong Mun Wai's concerns about the long-term sustainability of Singapore's hawker culture drove the Social Engagements on this day (218 Likes).

Nov 16 2024 (314 Social Engagements): This spike can be attributed to Calvin Cheng’s post arguing that cheap hawker food in Singapore is unsustainable due to rising costs. It received 265 Likes, 41 Comments, 8 Shares.

Nov 16 2024 (18 Volume) & Nov 19 (25 Volume): The hikes on both dates were pushed by discussions on HardwareZone on the sustainability of cheap hawker food. Chatter revolved around concerns about economic factors affecting hawker price.

Jan 6 2025 (37 Volume): Driven by debates on forums between preserving Singapore's hawker heritage and maintaining affordable prices.

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Rising Buzz on Food Affordability

Food-related discussions saw a significant rise, with 225 Total Mentions, reflecting a 53.1% increase compared to the same period last year. However, Social Engagements saw a 34.3% dip, totalling 1,397.

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Most conversations (74.7%) occurred on HardwareZone, driven by debates on hawker food affordability. Netizens expressed frustration over rising prices, with some noting hawker food is now more expensive than McDonald's. Others shared tips on strategically using CDC vouchers to maximize value.

On Reddit (18.7%), discussions focused on hawker food prices, with netizens noting post-COVID increases but still finding Singapore’s food costs affordable compared to other developed nations. Some also praised CDC vouchers, suggesting using them for hawker food while saving the rest.

On Facebook (4.9%), concerns were raised on the long-term viability of maintaining low-priced hawker food in Singapore. Some pointed out that Singapore is unique among developed nations in maintaining such low-priced eating option.

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Hawker Prices and CDC Vouchers: Stirring the Pot on Cost and Sustainability

Discussions about hawker food prices and CDC vouchers were prominent in forums.

Conversations highlighted growing concerns about living costs and food affordability, with suggestion of maintaining low-cost hawker food may not be sustainable in Singapore.

Discussions on CDC vouchers showed mixed reactions, with some noting their use for hawker food. There was also debate on whether they might influence hawker prices, similar to housing grants affecting HDB resale prices.

Netizens expressed gratitude for government initiatives like CDC vouchers as part of their appreciation for life in Singapore.

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