What this lesson teaches
I can explain how the government looks after citizens' jobs, homes, health and other needs.
Syllabus K230, Issue 1, Guiding Question 2, Roles of government. Ensures economic and social well-being of citizens
Make a guess
Singapore's economy grows strongly this year. Do you think every family's needs are now met?
- Yes, so the government can cut back housing and health support.
- No, growth can leave some families struggling with costs.
- Yes, because growth raises each worker's wages by a similar amount.
Show the answer
No, growth can leave some families struggling with costs.
Growth raises total income, but not everyone gains equally. Help with housing, healthcare and training may still be needed.
Government helps people earn a living and live well through jobs, training, housing, healthcare and financial help.
Economic well-being means being able to earn a living and afford basic needs. Government supports this with infrastructure such as transport, which helps workers reach jobs, and with education and training. SkillsFuture, for example, funds courses to help workers learn new skills.
Social well-being includes health, housing, safety and being part of community life. Examples in Singapore include HDB public housing, MediShield Life health insurance and ComCare financial help for low-income families.
The two are linked: poor health makes it hard to work, and low income makes healthcare harder to afford.
Supporting well-being does not mean everyone ends up with the same outcome. Services cost money and may not reach everyone equally, and a scheme's name does not show who benefits. So check whether help is affordable, easy to reach and good enough, and how different groups experience it. Economic growth alone does not mean everyone is doing well.
- Economic well-being
- Earning a living and affording basic needs.
- Social well-being
- Health, housing, safety and community life.
- Examples
- SkillsFuture, HDB, MediShield Life, ComCare.
Real examples to use
MediShield Life, 2015
Basic health insurance that covers all Singapore citizens and permanent residents for life, including those with existing illnesses, from November 2015. Use it for how the government protects families from large hospital bills.
ComCare
Government help for low-income individuals and families, such as short-term cash assistance for daily needs. Use it for social well-being support when people cannot cope on their own.
Worked example: A worker facing two problems
A worker needs new skills to find a better job and also has a long-term illness. She takes a subsidised evening course and gets subsidised treatment at a polyclinic.
- The course supports her economic well-being: she can apply for better jobs.
- Subsidised care supports her social well-being: treatment is affordable.
- Each helps with the other: better health lets her work, and a better job helps her afford care.
- Neither guarantees a job or good health. Check whether she can actually use the help and whether it tackles her real barriers.
Watch out for this
If the economy grows, everyone's needs must be met.
Growth does not reach everyone equally. Check whether support is affordable, accessible and reaching those in need.
Check your understanding
Which policy mainly supports economic well-being?
- Building a new park with play areas in a crowded housing estate.
- Funding training courses so workers can move to better jobs.
- Holding a community festival for residents of different races.
Show the answer
Funding training courses so workers can move to better jobs.
Right. It helps people earn a living.