Singapore is top five in the crony-capitalism Index

After hearing Tan Jee Say's rally today online about singapore being ranked top 5 in the crony-capitalism index, it need to see it for myself. Yes, he is right. This was published by the economist. Well, as this blog is also about rankings of singapore, for better or worst this has to go up too.

World Happiness Report

Well, who says we are a grouchy and unhappy nation? Latest world happiness report shows that we are ranked number 24 in the whole and that's the highest among all asian countries. Just to give some reference to this report, Japan is 46 and hong kong is 72. I have always thought that we are not as unhappy as we were made out to be.

Singaproe No.2 on Safe Cities Index

Singapore is again ranked number 2 in Safety, just behind Tokyo. This is according to the Safe Cities Index. I am a little surprised to see Ho Chi Minh City ranked so low, even behind Shenzhen, New Delhi and Mumbai.

Happiness Index

Here's some really interesting. A website Movehub.com shows the happiness index of various countries. The thing that really stands out is the happiest countries are those that are also among the poorest. That's something for us to think about. Why is that so? Is that due to expectations of the wealthier nations? 

Check out the interesting map from MoveHub that reveals how happy people are around the world.

Singapore is 3rd most sleep deprived city

This is definitely true for me. Recent article from the press says that Singapore is the 3rd most sleep deprived city, just behind Tokyo and Seoul. We sleep on average of 6 hours 32 minutes. What is the main reason? It is probably because of our long working hours, kids, etc. You can only find time after you tug the kids to bed so it eats into your sleeping time. Well, for me i am simply a night owl since young.

Singapore ranked 2 in safety

Singapore is ranked 2 in the world for order and security. This is according to the world justice project (WSP). Other areas that it did well includes criminal justice, civil justice, regulatory enforcement and absence of corruption. What it did not do well is fundamental rights, constraints on government powers and open government. I would say pretty fair assessment.

Singapore 5th costliest city to work

This is interesting. Now Singapore is ranked the 5th costliest city to work. I guess this is a separate category as compared to the expatriates. For expatriates, Singapore is ranked number 1.

Hong Kong has the most expensive rental for high end apartment

At least Singapore does not top the most expensive rental list despite being the most expensive city. That's some relief for our government :)

Singapore the costliest city in the world

If you are wondering why things are getting more expensive, wonder no more.  It's official, Singapore is the costliest city in the world. We certainly rise really fast in terms of cost but did your salary rise as fast to beat the inflation? Oops.. touched a raw nerve i think...

Top 10 most reliable airlines

Japan airlines is number 1 when it comes to getting you to your destination on time, according to Flightstats.com.

So who are the top 10 performing international airlines? According to on-time performance:

1. Japan Airlines
2. KLM
3. ANA
4. Iberia
5. SAS
6. Saudi Arabian Airlines
7. Delta Air Lines
8. Air New Zealand
9. Lufthansa
10. Korean Air Lines
    
    

 Stop looking, Singapore Airlines is not there....

Singapore to be Asia's most competitive City in 2025?

For a moment I thought this ranking is among cities globally but when it is only Asia, it doesn't seem too impressive after all. 2025 is about 12 years away. 12 years is a long time. I thought Singapore is already the most competitive city in Asia?

However, what is impressive is that Singapore will be the 3rd most competitive city in 2025. 

Singapore to overtake Switzerland as tax haven by 2020

To understand how much money is parked in Singapore, this CNN article will give a good idea. Singapore has $550 billion assets under management as of 2011 whereas Switzerland has $2.8 trillion. This may change in 2020 where Singapore is likely to overtake Switzerland. This makes sense as we not only attract the Americans and Europeans but also the Asians. The wealthy asians includes the chinese, indonesians and indians. They would prefer somewhere nearer to Asia than somewhere half way round the world. Well, good future for your children to study investment, banking or wealth management.

GDP Comparison

Came across this nice chart (from IHT i think) that compares the GDP of various neighbouring countries and its population. Not bad for Singapore, a country so small has a GDP very close to Malaysia and philippines. That credit should go to the government. 

Life expectancy

Good news is that being the least emotional and least positive has no correlation to our life expectancy according to the Lancet report. Looking at where all these statistics are going, seems like we are headed to grow into a land of grouchy old men and women.

Now Singaporean the least positive in the world too?

Honestly speaking when I see this by the Gallup polls, I thought we are among the lowest but not necessarily right at the bottom. I had to see it for myself to believe. Well, I am a fan of statistics. 

After checking it out, we are really the least positive in the world. What the Fxxx? Is there a worldwide conspiracy to project a bad image of us? Was it done by the opposition party (just kidding)? Did some Singaporeans offended someone in the Gallup polls? Maybe someone somehow carry the 'choke seat with tissue paper' culture overseas?

First we were the least emotional of the lot and now this. I am skeptical of the least emotional story as if you try cutting into someone else's lane in Singapore while driving, you see if the other party is emotionless. You will quite often see or hear colourful display of gestures or languages.

Here are the rankings.

If you want a clearer look at the bottom of the heap, here it is.

Malaysia boleh! Malaysia Tops the World in Bribe Payers Survey 2012

This is surely one ranking that most country won't want to be in. We are aware about the corruption there (especially their traffic police) but to top the world is rather surprising. They top the world in the Bribe Payers Survey 2012 by Transparency International. Over 3000 executives from 30 countries where asked if they had lost a contract in the past year from competitors paying bribes and 50% of Malaysians said yes. 

Guess Malaysians are crazy about money and Singaporeans crazy about sex.

Singapore Top in Infrastructure

Here we are again. Top of the world in Infrastructure according to Mercer. Beating even the efficient Germans and the Hong Kongers. Maybe they didn't read about the SMRT train breakdowns, flooding or ponding , traffic congestions......

*Mercer’s City Infrastructure Ranking 2012 is based on measures of: Electricity, Water Availability, Telephone, Mail, Public Transportation, Traffic Congestion & Airport Effectiveness.

Singapore Ranks as Least Emotional

Seriously, are Singaporeans really least emotional? It appears so according to the latest Gallup report.

Singapore Press Freedom's Global Ranking

Singapore is usually among the top in most rankings. This is one of the very rare occasion where it is at the bottom. Singapore is ranked even below many 3rd world countries in press freedom at #150.