Caregiving for sick or old relatives, children, or other family members causes millions of women in Indonesia to wake before the sun comes up. Households and communities rely on their labour, yet it is hardly brought up in economic debates or labour legislation.

Amid global uncertainty, experts question if Singapore's "status quo" budget does enough to tackle inequality, AI disruption, and the pressures families feel. In what has become an annual event, the Social Inclusion Project (SIP) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), held a panel discussion on February 13 to dissect Singapore’s 2026 budget from the perspective of building a stronger and more inclusive society.

Recognised as a leading international financial hub, Singapore boasts deep capital markets, a dense banking network, and one of the world’s most developed defined-contribution pension systems. Yet sophistication at the national level does not always translate into optimal decisions at the household level.

Singapore plans for an ageing society by enhancing elder-friendly urban design, promoting intergenerational bonds, and prioritising inclusive planning.