SG ranks 30th in Social Progress Index 

Its performance improved in two categories.

Singapore ranked 30th out of 168 countries in Deloitte's Social Progress Index (SPI) 2021, from 29th out of 163 countries in the previous year.

The Lion City ranked first amongst its  Southeast Asian neighbours, ahead of Malaysia (51), Thailand (71), Indonesia (94), Vietnam (78), the Philippines (97), Cambodia (128), Myanmar (117), and Laos (145).

The annual ranking, compiled by Social Progress Imperative with Deloitte, ranks the countries based on 12 categories: basic medical care; water and sanitation; shelter; personal safety; access to basic knowledge; access to information and communications; health and wellness; environmental quality; personal rights; personal freedom and choice; inclusiveness; and access to advanced education.

This year’s index specifically examined the relationship between sustainability and social progress.

Out of the 12 categories, Singapore improved the most in environmental quality, and health and wellness, jumping to 82 points in 2021 from 76.98 last year, and  91.01 from 90.36, respectively

The country was also able to maintain its high scores in water and sanitation (95.83), nutrition and basic medical care (97.81), shelter (96.48), personal safety (96.15), and access to basic knowledge (91.05).

The index also said Singapore's scores for 2021 was “relative to 15 countries of similar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita” namely Qatar, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Norway, the United States, Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, and Kuwait.