Data Over Drama: Why Measured, Evidence-Based Decisions Matter More Than Ever
- Derrick Yuen, MBA
- Oct 5
- 4 min read
With reference to The Business Times article: “Cost-of-living fears need solid data backing for greater government intervention: Indranee”
Public sentiment in Singapore has been dominated by talk of a “cost-of-living crisis.”Scroll through social media and you’ll find countless stories about rising prices, shrinking savings, and frustration at how difficult life feels today.
Yet as Minister Indranee Rajah highlighted in her Business Times interview, data paints a more nuanced picture — one that challenges the prevailing narrative.
Her comments offer a valuable case study in data-informed policymaking: a process that uses evidence to separate perception from reality, and to design support that is targeted, sustainable, and fair.
Perception vs. Reality
Yes, the cost of living has gone up — food, transport, and utilities are undeniably more expensive. But as Minister Indranee noted, the data does not yet point to a full-blown crisis.
Government data shows that inflation, while higher than historical norms, has moderated; wages have grown in tandem for most groups; and multiple layers of support already exist to cushion households.
Many Singaporeans also overlook that these measures are structured and data-driven, not reactive. They are designed to reach specific groups according to need, rather than blanketing everyone equally.
How Singapore’s Support System Is Layered by Design
The table below summarises some of the key cost-of-living and generational support measures — and who they’re meant to help.
Programme / Scheme | Purpose / Type of Support | Target Audience |
CDC Vouchers | Universal household vouchers for everyday expenses (groceries, hawkers, heartland shops). | All Singaporean households (at least one citizen member). |
GST Voucher Scheme (GSTV) | Offsets GST and utilities through cash, MediSave, and U-Save rebates. | Lower- to middle-income citizens (income and property value criteria apply). |
CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) | Subsidies for medical and dental care at participating clinics. | Lower- and middle-income households; enhanced tiers for seniors. |
SG60 Vouchers | One-time vouchers marking Singapore’s 60th year, easing living costs. | All Singapore citizens aged 21+ (enhanced for those aged 60+). |
Pioneer Generation Package | Lifetime MediSave top-ups, healthcare and insurance subsidies. | Citizens born on or before 31 Dec 1949 who became citizens by 1986. |
Merdeka Generation Package | Enhanced outpatient subsidies, MediShield Life premium support, CareShield incentives. | Citizens born 1950–1959. |
Majulah Package | CPF and MediSave top-ups, retirement and healthcare savings boost. | Citizens born 1973 or earlier, means-tested for lower/middle-income groups. |
HIP (Home Improvement Programme) | Structural and safety upgrades for ageing HDB flats. | HDB residents in older estates; with optional upgrades co-funded by owners. |
MSF Targeted Support | ComCare assistance, Public Assistance, childcare subsidies, and other schemes for vulnerable groups. | Low-income families, persons with disabilities, and those in transitional needs. |
This structure demonstrates how support is differentiated by data, not by popularity:
Universal measures (CDC, SG60) address broad cost pressures.
Targeted schemes (CHAS, GSTV, ComCare) direct resources to those most in need.
Cohort-based packages (Pioneer, Merdeka, Majulah) reflect demographic realities — each generation’s financial profile, healthcare burden, and savings adequacy are different.
Structural programmes (HIP) invest in long-term quality of life and community infrastructure.
A Systemic View: Balancing Compassion with Constraints
This approach reflects a systems mindset — looking beyond immediate discomfort to long-term sustainability.Every dollar spent on subsidies or vouchers is a dollar not spent elsewhere. Policymakers must weigh the trade-offs between:
Immediate relief vs. fiscal sustainability,
Universal coverage vs. targeted fairness,
Short-term comfort vs. structural reform.
A knee-jerk reaction to popular pressure — say, rolling out new cash measures in response to social media sentiment — might be emotionally satisfying but economically unsound. Instead, data enables prioritisation: directing finite resources to where they have the greatest measurable impact.
That’s what evidence-based policymaking looks like in action.
The Same Principle Applies in Organisations
At FYT Consulting, we teach leaders to apply this same reasoning to business decisions.When faced with competing pressures — customer demands, employee expectations, cost constraints — we encourage them to:
Validate the problem with data, not emotion.
Map the system, identifying interdependencies and unintended effects.
Design interventions based on evidence, not popularity.
Communicate trade-offs transparently, so decisions earn trust.
In our analytics workshops, participants often confront how perception differs from data.For example, many assume Singapore’s recycling rate is below 50% — it’s actually above.Or that most HDB resale flats cost over $1 million — in reality, such flats make up only about 5% of transactions, while median affordability ratios remain stable.These insights show how data reframes understanding, even when it challenges deeply held beliefs.
The Broader Lesson
The Business Times article underscores a timeless truth: Good leadership isn’t about acting fast — it’s about acting right.
And acting right requires:
Clarity about the real problem,
Evidence to guide judgment,
Courage to make trade-offs, and
Transparency in communicating decisions.
That’s what data-informed decision making delivers — in public policy, business, and beyond.
💡 At FYT Consulting, we help professionals and organisations build data confidence — the ability to make clear, evidence-based decisions even amid uncertainty.📍 Learn more about our Data Analytics Workshops and Advisory Services: www.fytconsulting.com
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