Don’t know, don’t care: Singaporeans least committed to CSR in SE Asia

Singapore is a laggard in this field.

Singaporeans lag behind other Southeast Asian consumers when it comes to buying products from companies committed to social and environmental responsibility, the Nielsen Global Survey of Corporate Social Responsibility revealed today.

Only 48% of Singaporean consumers are willing to pay extra a for products and services that come from companies who are committed to making positive social and environmental impact.

This is a little below the global average of 55%. It also lags behind other Southeast Asian countries, compared to 79% in the Philippines, 73% in Vietnam, and 71% in Thailand.

The survey also revealed that only 48% of Singaporean consumers check product packaging to ensure that it is committed to positive social and environmental impact before purchasing, way below 82% in the Philippines, 73% in Vietnam, and 69% in Thailand.

“The value of social responsibility and giving back to society is an important part of the culture in many of these societies, and this is having an influence on their purchasing decisions,” notes Vishal Bali, Nielsen’s Managing Director of Consumer Insights in Southeast Asia, North Asia and Pacific.