SINGAPORE - Most Singapore residents said they emerged from Covid-19 in good shape, but a higher proportion of young people and those who care for the elderly and children reported a drop in their quality of life as compared to before the pandemic.

Meanwhile, about seven in 10 who took part in an online poll commissioned by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI), believe that the government and its healthcare system can manage future pandemics well.

In all, 75 per cent said they were confident that Singapore would be able to get through the next pandemic, with 71 per cent saying they trust the Government to know what to do.

Similarly, seven in 10, or 72 per cent, felt that their overall quality of life was the same or better in 2023 compared to 2019, before the pandemic hit.

The poll - the results of which were released on Sunday - reached out to 1,052 Singapore residents aged 15 years old and above, to ask about the impact Covid-19 had on various aspects in their lives.

Notably, 82 per cent of Singapore residents reported that relationships with their neighbours became stronger or remained the same over the pandemic, with 77 per cent of the respondents noting the same for family relationships.

A total of 72 per cent of respondents reported that they were either equally or better able to cater to their financial needs post-pandemic.

The survey found that even among the 28 per cent who felt that their overall quality of life was worse compared to before the pandemic, at least six in 10 rated 10 aspects of their current lives the same or higher.

These include relationships with family and neighbours, being able to manage mental and physical health, and having a healthy work-life balance. This is suggestive of a general recovery, said MCI.

Drop in quality of life for the young and those who care for seniors and children

The poll found that a higher proportion of youth aged 15 to 19 years reported a drop in their quality of life - 38 per cent for young people as compared to 28 per cent for the general population.

Similarly, 37 per cent of young people highlighted a drop in ability to manage their mental health, as compared to 28 per cent for the general population.

“This suggests that the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on social activities was more keenly felt by the young, especially teenagers,” said MCI.

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