Our study ascertains how ordinary Singaporeans think about what constitutes basic needs in Singapore today and determines the household budgets necessary to meet these needs. It focuses on households of single and partnered parents and their children across various age groups—below 2 years old; 2–6; 7–12; 13–18; and 19–25. We also updated the budgets generated in an earlier wave of research for elderly persons aged 65 years and older, and single adults aged 55-64 years old.
In 2021, the household budgets necessary to meet basic needs are:
- $3,218 per month for a single parent with one child (aged 2-6).
- $6,426 per month for partnered parents with two children (aged 7-12 and 13-18).
- $1,421 per month for a single elderly person.
This page provides a brief introduction to some key findings. For more detail, please see:
- Full report (English)
- Full report (Chinese)
- Full report (Malay)
- Detailed lists of goods and services included in the budgets
- Single mother with one child 2-6 years old (girl)
- Single mother with two children 7-12 (boy), 13-18 (girl)
- Partnered parents with one child 2-6 (girl)
- Partnered parents with two children 7-12 (boy), 13-18 (girl)
- Partnered parents with one child 19-25 (male)
- Partnered parents with two children below 2 (boy), 7-12 (boy)
- Partnered parents with three children below 2 (boy), 2-6 (girl), 7-12 (boy)
- Online calculator – Enter details of a household with parents (single or partnered) and 1-3 children aged up to 25 years old, and see the household budget they would need to meet their basic needs, including a breakdown of the budget.
Key findings
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Note: Source for information on ComCare provision in 2021.