SINGAPORE – The definition of quality of life is shifting in Singapore, with more people prioritising well-being, mental health and work-life balance over material goods to cope better in a complex and fast-paced city, according to a new study released on July 24.

In choosing a home, for instance, accessibility to healthcare services (63 per cent) came out ahead of remaining lease (20 per cent) and proximity to schools (14 per cent) as a priority, though affordability (92 per cent), location (90 per cent) and proximity to public transport infrastructure (68 per cent) remain non-negotiables.

On which communal facilities were the most important, food and retail spaces came out on top (87 per cent), followed by parks and green spaces (78 per cent). These were ahead of sheltered walkways (66 per cent), sports facilities (57 per cent), and community centres (45 per cent).

Within residential developments, respondents also ranked green spaces and rooftop gardens as the most important communal facilities, ahead of fitness facilities like swimming pools and social spaces such as barbecue pits and function rooms.

The inaugural Quality of Life report, by property consultancy Knight Frank Singapore and global market research firm Ipsos, surveyed 1,000 Singapore residents earlier in 2025 to find out how expectations of the city-state’s built environment are evolving.

The hope is that the study, carried out to celebrate Knight Frank Singapore’s 85th anniversary, will be valuable to policymakers and developers in meeting the changing aspirations of the population, said the company’s head of consultancy Alice Tan.

Respondents, who were spread across all age groups from 18 and up, ranked emotional and mental well-being as the most important factor in quality of life, ahead of economic stability and job security. This was followed by financial stability, and then physical health and well-being.

The report noted that while respondents listed job security, inflation and the high cost of raising a child as their top concerns, they defined quality of life primarily through mental well-being and financial stability.

“These results call attention to a significant shift in how Singapore residents define quality of life (and) reflects a growing recognition that psychological resilience and emotional balance are central to daily life satisfaction, more important than the popular perception that Singapore residents are only absorbed in one-dimensional material gain,” said the authors.

At the workplace, 68 per cent of respondents said natural lighting and good ventilation was the most important workplace feature, followed by ergonomic office furniture and quiet zones for focus. On the other hand, perks such as nap pods, shower facilities and nursing rooms were chosen by fewer than three in 10 respondents.

Eight in 10 respondents also chose work-life balance policies – such as flexible work arrangements and more paid time off – as the top factor for work fulfilment, ahead of compensation (73 per cent), benefits (66 per cent) and company culture (38 per cent).

“Traditional notions of job satisfaction such as office layout or even career advancement appear to have taken a backseat to more fundamental human needs like rest, autonomy, and financial security,” said the report, which noted that most respondents were satisfied or moderately content with their jobs.

“The modern worker is looking for a sustainable, human-centered experience that supports both their livelihood and lifestyle.”

When it came to recreational activities, respondents said ease of access and value-for-money were top factors, with scenic beauty and relaxing environments in third place, followed by warm hospitality and authentic cultural experiences.

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Conversely,

a vibrant nightlife scene

ranked low, as did seasonal events and festivals and venues that may photograph well for social media.

These findings could signal a pivot away from high-energy activities towards leisure activities that are more focused on introspection and relaxation, with nightlife no longer being a mainstream leisure priority due to high costs and changing social preferences, said the report.

A majority of respondents also said they prefer to have their office and leisure amenities between 20 minutes’ and 30 minutes’ commute from where they live, with fewer saying they want live, work, and play functions to be separate venues or spaced out geographically.

The authorities have said that they are aiming for eight in 10 households to be within a 10-minute walk of an MRT station by the 2030s, and to have 20-minute towns by 2040. This means residents should be able to reach the nearest neighbourhood centre within 20 minutes by walking, cycling or public transport.

Knight Frank Singapore and Ipsos said the findings signal a societal transition where residents “are not merely seeking to live well in material terms, but to feel well, cope better, and find stability in a complex, fast-moving city”.

More emphasis has to be placed on greenery and parks, as well as sheltered leisure infrastructure, in response to a growing demand for a healthier urban experience, driven by both mental well-being and climate resilience, said the report.

The survey also suggested that future urban planning focus on mixed-use developments, mobility infrastructure, and liveable precincts.

“For planners and policymakers, the key takeaway is the need to design a more equitable, biophilic, and flexible city that supports not only infrastructure and economic growth, but also human-scale quality of life across live, work and play,” it said.

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