A study by the National University of Singapore found that a balanced world view, which establishes equal priorities between family and tradition, broader societal well-being, and social status and wealth, is associated with greater life satisfaction. In contrast, materialistic values, which disproportionately fixate on acquiring possessions and status, were associated with the lowest levels of happiness.

One potential response to the study’s findings is to view them with hope. While our financial situation is often subject to external conditions beyond our control, each of us always has the option to establish our outlook and life priorities. From a broader social perspective, this also raises the possibility that a single generation could break away from unhealthy materialistic mindsets, paving the way to intergenerational mobility of happiness.


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Tan Poh Lin is a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

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