World Values Survey (Singapore Component)



Synopsis:

The World Values Survey (WVS) is one of the largest cross-national and time-series research endeavour which explores public attitudes and values, and seeks to study these changing values across polities and their impact on social and political life. It involves approximately 80 countries and 130,000 respondents. Singapore participated in the 7th wave of the WVS (2020) and will be participating in the upcoming 8th wave (2024-25); it previously did so for two other waves in 2002 and 2012. IPS Social Lab led the implementation of the Singapore wave for 2020, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of investigators; it will also lead the upcoming 2024-25 wave (est. rollout Q4 2024). Each wave is conducted every 4-5 years, with a standardised series of questions stipulated by the WVS Association alongside country-specific questions mooted by IPS Social Lab.

WVS 2024 (8th Wave)
Fieldwork and data collection for the 8th wave of WVS will begin in Q4 2024 (estimated). If you have received an Invitation Letter in your mailbox, or directly from an Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab surveyor regarding the World Values Survey during this period, we warmly invite you to participate in the survey.


Investigators:
Dr Mathew Mathews (Principal Investigator)
Dr Teo Kay Key (Co-Investigator)
Melvin Tay (Co-Investigator)



WVS 2019-2020 (7th Wave)
The World Values Survey (WVS) is the largest non-commercial, cross-national, and time-series survey of public attitudes and values globally. Spanning 80 countries and currently in its seventh iteration, WVS seeks to study individuals' changing values across polities and their impact on social and political life.

The Singapore component of the WVS survey was carried out by the Institute of Policy Studies' (IPS) Social Lab. A general population sampling frame comprising randomly generated household addresses and contact details was obtained from the Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS). Surveyors subsequently visited these addresses to recruit Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) aged 21 years and above. Fieldwork in Singapore for WVS was conducted from November 2019 to March 2020, with 2,012 respondents completing the survey. The findings from this overall dataset are representative of the Singapore resident population.

WVS findings and analyses are distinguished into three main themes: 1) Our Singaporean Values; 2) Attitudes towards institutions, politics, and policies; and 3) Well-being and social trust. The first and second themes have been completed, and related reports may be found at the links below. The third theme is currently being prepared, and will be released in the near future. 


Our Singaporean Values

Singapore's reputation as a prosperous city-state has been built on its ability to thrive amidst differences. With a multi-ethnic, multi-religious resident population, our embrace of multiculturalism inevitably extends to the values we hold dear, which underpins our beliefs and how we live our lives. Against this backdrop, Our Singaporean Values is the first of a three-part series presenting the salient findings from the latest instalment of the WVS.


Attitudes towards institutions, politics, and policies

Since its independence in 1965, Singapore's transformation from mediocrity to a world leader by various socio-economic metrics is often attributed to its resolute, pragmatist political leadership. However, the role of its citizens should not be underestimated too; their trust, compliance and support of public institutions and policies are integral to the continued success of the city-state. Against this backdrop, this report, titled Attitudes towards Institutions, Politics, and Policies, is the second of a three-part series presenting the salient findings from the latest instalment of the WVS.


Lived Experiences in Singapore

Presenting the salient findings arising from the latest instalment of the WVS, this final report in the three-part series provides a useful glimpse of the daily experiences and encounters of Singaporeans which motivate and sustain our attitudes and values.


Investigators:
Dr Mathew Mathews (Principal Investigator)
Assoc Prof Alfred Wu (Co-Investigator), LKYSPP
Dr Tan Poh Lin (Co-Investigator), LKYSPP
Dr Joelle Fong (Co-Investigator), LKYSPP
Dr Demircioglu Mehmet Akif (Co-Investigator), LKYSPP 
Dr Lu Xi (Co-Investigator), LKYSPP
Dr Teo Kay Key (Co-Investigator)