Low priority for marriage, having own homes among young people

Study also finds 2 in 5 young people aged 22 to 29 in 2022 had never been in a relationship

- Shermaine Ang

Young people prioritise their careers and financial security over goals like getting married, according to a new study on their aspirations as they move from adolescence to adulthood.

Having a good career and being in good health were ranked as their top priorities in the next five years, while getting married and having their own homes were further down the list.

The study also found that two in five young people aged 22 to 29 in 2022 had never been in a relationship.

Conducted by the National Youth Council (NYC) and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Social Lab, this is the first national longitudinal study on youth. Called the Youth Study on Transitions and Evolving Pathways in Singapore (Youth Steps), it followed a representative sample of more than 3,000 young people aged between 17 and 24, starting from 2017 until 2022.

Mr David Chua, chief executive of NYC, said at a media briefing about the study's findings on Aug 5 that the results help to find out how the Government and other organisations involved in youth development can help young Singaporeans work towards their aspirations.

IPS adjunct senior research fellow Chew Han Ei, principal investigator of Youth Steps, said that contrary to the narrative that young people are "quiet quitting" - which refers to being disengaged and doing the bare minimum in their jobs - the results show that they prioritise their career above other life goals.