Why Ambitious Professionals Should Consider Singapore

It recently struck me that ambitious young professionals should seriously consider making their mark in Singapore.

Hello everyone, today we are going to examine the landscape of Singapore.

A Hong Kong Friend’s Journey Back

I recently met a friend from Hong Kong who shared his experience living in Singapore. To put it simply, during the pandemic, many Hong Kong residents relocated to Singapore for various reasons, and he was one of them. I even visited him in Singapore back then; he seemed to be doing well and integrating smoothly. However, recently he decided to move back to Hong Kong. Indeed, the number of people returning to Hong Kong has noticeably increased compared to previous years.

When we discussed why he returned, he mentioned several factors that are quite understandable. For instance, Singapore’s housing policy imposes a 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) for non-permanent residents—meaning a property worth SGD 1 million effectively requires an outlay of SGD 1.6 million. Furthermore, the criteria for obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) have become increasingly stringent over the past year or two, unlike the more straightforward processes of the past. He also felt that Singapore's regulatory environment was not as strictly rule-bound or predictable as he had anticipated, which caused him some unease.

What left the deepest impression on him, however, was his frustration with Singapore’s slower pace of life. He used a Hokkien term frequently heard in Singapore, which roughly translates to a "fear of losing out" (kiasu). He felt that Singaporeans are too conservative, risk-averse, and content with the status quo, lacking the high-efficiency, hard-driving "Lion Rock spirit" characteristic of Hong Kong.

Listening to him at the time, I blinked in surprise and thought to myself: Where on earth do we in Hong Kong get such confidence?

Redefining the "Lion Rock Spirit"

Perspective, as they say, is shaped by comparison. While people from Hong Kong might view Singaporeans as lacking drive, my background is different: I moved from Mainland China and lived in Hong Kong for 10 years. Reflecting on this, the legendary "Lion Rock spirit" of the past feels entirely different when viewed against the hyper-competitive backdrop of the Mainland.

After our conversation, it suddenly hit me: while Singapore may appear to have high living costs, high-caliber talent, and intense competition, our own work ethic actually embodies a far stronger "Lion Rock spirit." We are relentlessly driven, and our performance standards have evolved far beyond theirs.

It suddenly became clear to me that ambitious young professionals should venture into Singapore—it is far less cutthroat than Hong Kong. Who's afraid of whom? I genuinely feel that we should all explore opportunities in Singapore and hustle our way to success. I am not joking; this is a serious and sudden realization.

Sometimes we are overly cautious, but I remain a firm believer in long-termism—the principle that persistent hard work yields success. Being a Capricorn, I naturally lean into this belief in long-term effort and steady persistence. Building on this thought, the idea crystallized: why not give Singapore a try? Who's afraid of whom?

That is the premise for today’s discussion.

An Overview of Singapore’s Demographics and Economy

Let me briefly outline the current situation in Singapore. Demographically, about 75% of Singapore’s population is of Chinese descent, with slightly over 50% being citizens, alongside approximately 13% Malays and 9% Indians. I am recalling these figures from memory rather than reading from a script, just to provide a general overview.

Singapore faces a severe aging population challenge. Curiously, this often contradicts my everyday observations: female colleagues I know in Singapore often have multiple children. Singapore’s child-rearing welfare is exceptionally generous—some families receive enough support without working to raise three or four children. Yet, Singapore’s actual birth rate remains stubbornly low, and these family-support subsidies have not reversed the trend. Consequently, the government is actively promoting policies such as extending the retirement age to 65 and re-employing workers up to 70.

Why highlight this? It illustrates that immigration is not just a policy choice for Singapore; it is an absolute necessity, regardless of political preferences. Therefore, Singapore’s immigration policies are formulated with a long-term perspective. While we can expect structural stability, minor policy fine-tuning occurs annually.

Work Visas Are Accessible; PR and Citizenship Have Become More Demanding

Over the past year or two, the prevailing sentiment in Singapore is that obtaining an employment visa is relatively straightforward. Commonly referred to as the Employment Pass (EP), it encompasses various formal categories, but essentially, securing a work visa is not overly difficult at present. While future adjustments may increase the threshold slightly, the overall difficulty remains manageable.

Conversely, obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) and citizenship has become significantly more rigorous. A primary reason is Singapore's stellar management and stability during the global pandemic, which successfully attracted top-tier global talent and a large influx of expatriates. However, annual quotas for PR and citizenship are strictly capped. As the volume of applicants surges, competition intensifies naturally. Qualifications that easily secured PR a few years ago no longer guarantee approval today, and credentials that once fast-tracked citizenship now face stricter scrutiny.

For those wondering how to accelerate the process, the path mirrors that of Hong Kong, as the two systems share striking similarities. From my perspective, placing capital in Singapore is a reliable strategy—the more, the better. Purchasing local real estate certainly helps. Higher salaries are advantageous because they translate to higher tax contributions. Having more children also demonstrates integration; notably, having male children who fulfill National Service (NS) further strengthens long-term ties.

Capital deployment and tax contributions are the most straightforward variables to manage and carry significant weight in evaluations. While having children is a personal choice, a larger family is often perceived as a stronger commitment to local integration.

If you look at Hong Kong, the policy attitude toward investors versus top talent follows a similar logic. Naturally, from the perspective of governments in Singapore and Hong Kong, authorities must prioritize attracting the most accomplished individuals. While moral character cannot be easily quantified, tangible metrics—such as professional achievement, capital investment, and economic contribution—form the basis of evaluation. The higher these contributions, the greater the likelihood of approval.

Why Talents Should Venture into Singapore

Building on my friend’s story and my own familiarity with Singapore—I typically spend about a month there each year and plan to spend two months next year to experience different lifestyles—I truly believe that for elite talent (not manual labor, but high-caliber professionals such as digital creators, IT specialists, and skilled experts), Singapore presents a compelling destination.

In my view, Singapore is nowhere near as hyper-competitive as people assume. High-intensity drive is neither inherently good nor bad, but overseas communities often gradually lose certain competitive traits over generations. For instance, when chatting with friends in Hong Kong, they often speak of returning to the "Lion Rock spirit" of the past. I often reply, "Most people talking about it haven't even climbed Lion Rock; I've climbed it countless times." Times change, and across generations, inherited wealth can dilute that relentless drive. In Mainland China, however, that powerful work ethic is deeply preserved. While some label this drive negatively as intense involution, when viewed as a resilient entrepreneurial spirit, it is a tremendous asset.

Therefore, talented professionals should seriously consider venturing into Singapore. You could say it introduces a high-performance, competitive edge to the local employment landscape.

Why High-Net-Worth Individuals Favor Singapore

On another front, compared to Hong Kong, Singapore offers a higher degree of macroeconomic and political stability. While some Western observers might view Singapore's governance as progressive, compared to Hong Kong, it is relatively conservative and steady—a trait that appeals strongly to high-net-worth individuals seeking long-term security.

Furthermore, Singapore operates with long-term strategic foresight, managing the nation almost like a well-run household, setting it apart from Hong Kong’s policy dynamics. Its predictability, stability, and forward-planning are exceptional. For these reasons, high-net-worth individuals naturally gravitate toward Singapore.

This provides a foundational overview of Singapore’s landscape.

What I originally intended to cover in a single episode has expanded into two—or perhaps even a three-part series. In subsequent installments, I will delve deeper into the specifics of Singapore's immigration and economic policies.

I will leave it here for our first installment. Thank you for reading!