Publication Type

Report

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

6-2025

Abstract

The Singapore Life Panel® (SLP) has been tracking demographic and well-being indicators among older adults in Singapore for nearly a decade. This research brief presents the longitudinal trends observed in the SLP over a nine-year period (2016-2024), with the aim of identifying key shifts in these indicators and drawing attention to salient issues facing Singapore’s ageing population. The findings reveal notable demographic and well-being developments with significant implications for policy domains such as ageing-in-place, employment, and health. We highlight the following prominent trends: (i) a growing proportion of older adults living alone, accompanied by a steady decline in average household size, (ii) a persistently low level of engagement in flexible work arrangements despite increasing government efforts to promote flexible work among older workers, (iii) a dip in life satisfaction levels during the COVID-19 pandemic which has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, (iv) an improvement in perceived health status despite a trend of increasing number of chronic health conditions, and (v) disparities in health and well-being between socioeconomic groups, where older adults with lower educational attainment report poorer health and well-being outcomes. These findings underscore the need for continued support in areas such as ageing-in-place, flexible work, and equitable health promotion. As Singapore is on the cusp of becoming a “super-aged society”, coordinated effort across the government, social service agencies, and the broader community will be crucial in ensuring that the needs of older adults are met and that the city remains inclusive and conducive for active ageing and ageing-in-place.

Keywords

Well-being, ageing population, senior citizens, ageing-in-place, employment, Singapore

Discipline

Asian Studies | Gerontology | Medicine and Health

First Page

1

Last Page

26

Publisher

SMU Centre for Research on Successful Ageing

City or Country

Singapore

Embargo Period

6-19-2025

Copyright Owner and License

Singapore Management University

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