Income distribution in Singapore - an overview

Abstract

" .... based on equality and justice, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress

for our nation."

Singapore's National Pledge

The distribution of wealth and income has always been a controversial issue in almost

every developing country. Concerns surroundirig this topic has been mounting in recent

years in the light of raising awareness of human-rights - why should the majority live in

extreme deprivation while the filthy rich can afford to live 'like a king'.

Our report attempts to study the income distribution pattern in Singapore and find out

how much the poor received as compared to the rich. At the same time, we will see if

the income gap between the rich and poor are widening or narrowing through the past

decade. Comparisons will also be made with other countries to understand the situation

in Singapore in a better context. With the help of Kuznets' Hypothesis, we will try to

explain the income distribution trend Singapore is experiencing currently.