Singapore edged out Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and Norway, which were ranked second to fifth, respectively. ST PHOTO: GIN TAYJean Iau
MAY 15, 2024
SINGAPORE Singapore has topped a ranking that tracks the effectiveness of more than 100 governments around the world for the second consecutive year.
It edged out Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and Norway – which ranked second to fifth, respectively – in the fourth edition of the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) released on May 15. South Korea (20th) is the only other Asian country in the top 20.
What helped Singapore retain the top spot was ranking first in three of the seven pillars under assessment: leadership and foresight, which involves ethical and adaptable leaders with long-term vision; strong institutions, such as ministries, public departments and statutory agencies; and attractive marketplace, which includes creating jobs, innovation, and opportunities.
The Republic slipped to second in financial stewardship, which looks at how governments acquire, allocate and distribute public funds.
In the remaining pillars, Singapore ranked fourth in helping people rise, which looks at how governments help citizens achieve a better quality of life; ninth in robust policies and laws; and 26th in global influence and reputation.
It improved across most of the pillars compared with the 2023 edition. Then, Singapore had the top spot in leadership and foresight, strong institutions, financial stewardship, and attractive marketplace. It came second in helping people rise, 20th in robust policies and laws, and 36th in global influence and reputation.
The index is compiled by the Chandler Institute of Governance, a non-profit organisation headquartered in Singapore. Countries are scored by the institute on 35 indicators organised into the seven pillars.
The index taps more than 50 publicly available global data sources, including from the United Nations, World Trade Organisation, World Justice Project and Yale University.
The 113 countries evaluated represent about 90 per cent of the world’s population.
The 2024 report noted that while the first three editions of the index, from 2021 to 2023, delved into how governments used their capabilities to thrive during and after the Covid-19 crisis, this latest edition analysed geopolitical stability, socio-economic development, technological advancements and environmental changes.
“Good governance has become a more complex and precarious field than ever. At the same time, new opportunities and prospective ways of governing are emerging,” said the institute.
It added that the report examined how good governance relates to the challenges and opportunities countries are expected to face in coming years.
Editors of the report Alvin Pang and Victoria Giaever-Enger said: “In a year fraught with crisis and conflict, it can be challenging to focus on the long-term good. This is why in this year’s report, we focus on momentum and progress.”
The institute said in the report that a test of good government has always been the ability to manage current conditions while preparing a country for what is to come.
“Together these capabilities lay a foundation for national cohesion, prosperity, and pragmatic optimism. It is telling, for instance, that despite its technical accomplishments in governance, Singapore – which once again tops the CGGI overall in 2024 – has taken pains to renew its social compact with its people,” added the institute, referring to the Forward Singapore exercise.
“Good governments do not only fight today’s fires well: they (also) chart a viable course towards a better future and invite their country along with them.”
Singapore’s approach towards artificial intelligence (AI) was also singled out as it topped the rankings for governance capabilities that support an effective AI strategy, including long-term vision, regulatory governance and implementation indicators.
The institute called Singapore’s AI strategy comprehensive as its enablers involve technical infrastructure, a skilled workforce and creating an environment that safeguards users and fosters innovation.
It also noted that Singapore has taken steps to bring these enablers to life, including by providing AI grants to fund promising AI research and development; launching “LearnAI”, which provides customised training courses for students, educators, and professionals and the public; and establishing a Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Division under the Government Technology Agency, which helps accelerate the technology across a range of government departments and agencies.
Singapore was among the first countries to unveil an AI plan in 2019. In December 2023, it launched an updated National AI Strategy 2.0, outlining ways to leverage AI to empower workers and businesses.
The Republic slipped to second in financial stewardship, which looks at how governments acquire, allocate and distribute public funds.
In the remaining pillars, Singapore ranked fourth in helping people rise, which looks at how governments help citizens achieve a better quality of life; ninth in robust policies and laws; and 26th in global influence and reputation.
It improved across most of the pillars compared with the 2023 edition. Then, Singapore had the top spot in leadership and foresight, strong institutions, financial stewardship, and attractive marketplace. It came second in helping people rise, 20th in robust policies and laws, and 36th in global influence and reputation.
The index is compiled by the Chandler Institute of Governance, a non-profit organisation headquartered in Singapore. Countries are scored by the institute on 35 indicators organised into the seven pillars.
The index taps more than 50 publicly available global data sources, including from the United Nations, World Trade Organisation, World Justice Project and Yale University.
The 113 countries evaluated represent about 90 per cent of the world’s population.
The 2024 report noted that while the first three editions of the index, from 2021 to 2023, delved into how governments used their capabilities to thrive during and after the Covid-19 crisis, this latest edition analysed geopolitical stability, socio-economic development, technological advancements and environmental changes.
“Good governance has become a more complex and precarious field than ever. At the same time, new opportunities and prospective ways of governing are emerging,” said the institute.
It added that the report examined how good governance relates to the challenges and opportunities countries are expected to face in coming years.
Editors of the report Alvin Pang and Victoria Giaever-Enger said: “In a year fraught with crisis and conflict, it can be challenging to focus on the long-term good. This is why in this year’s report, we focus on momentum and progress.”
The institute said in the report that a test of good government has always been the ability to manage current conditions while preparing a country for what is to come.
“Together these capabilities lay a foundation for national cohesion, prosperity, and pragmatic optimism. It is telling, for instance, that despite its technical accomplishments in governance, Singapore – which once again tops the CGGI overall in 2024 – has taken pains to renew its social compact with its people,” added the institute, referring to the Forward Singapore exercise.
“Good governments do not only fight today’s fires well: they (also) chart a viable course towards a better future and invite their country along with them.”
Singapore’s approach towards artificial intelligence (AI) was also singled out as it topped the rankings for governance capabilities that support an effective AI strategy, including long-term vision, regulatory governance and implementation indicators.
The institute called Singapore’s AI strategy comprehensive as its enablers involve technical infrastructure, a skilled workforce and creating an environment that safeguards users and fosters innovation.
It also noted that Singapore has taken steps to bring these enablers to life, including by providing AI grants to fund promising AI research and development; launching “LearnAI”, which provides customised training courses for students, educators, and professionals and the public; and establishing a Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Division under the Government Technology Agency, which helps accelerate the technology across a range of government departments and agencies.
Singapore was among the first countries to unveil an AI plan in 2019. In December 2023, it launched an updated National AI Strategy 2.0, outlining ways to leverage AI to empower workers and businesses.
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Understanding the Fundamentals of Singapore’s Healthcare SystemSingapore’s healthcare system is the envy of the world. By every measurement, it performs exceedingly well. The country placed 6th in the World Health Organization‘s ranking of the world’s health systems in the year 2000, a position it has held to the present day. The Economist Intelligence Unit placed Singapore 2nd out of 166 countries for health-care outcomes. Bloomberg Global Health Index of 163 countries ranked Singapore the 4th healthiest country in the world.
This superb level of healthcare means that Singaporeans enjoy an extremely high standard of living. And, as of 2019, Singaporeans had the world’s longest life expectancy at 84.8 years.
Singapore's ranking in Healthcare: https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/systems/
Human Development Index: https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks
Singapore's ranking in Education (PISA): https://www.oecd.org/pisa/OECD_2022_PISA_Results_Comparing%20countries%E2%80%99%20and%20economies%E2%80%99%20performance%20in%20mathematics.pdf
Singapore's per Capita GDP and ranking: https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-per-capita/
Foreign Direct Investment by countries: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.KLT.DINV.CD.WD?end=2022&locations=US-CN-SG&most_recent_value_desc=true&start=2022&view=bar
Singapore's ranking on Economic Freedom: https://www.statista.com/statistics/256965/worldwide-index-of-economic-freedom
Ease of doing business: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IC.BUS.EASE.XQ?most_recent_value_desc=false
Best Public Transportation: https://www.farandwide.com/s/public-transit-systems-ranked-c5d839d8a48d4da3
Video: Singapore ranking in various assessments:
From the video:
8. The best place to do business in the world9. The most expensive city in the world10. The largest infinity pool in the world11. Singapore tops list cities with the highest percentages of millionaires12. The highest-paid government leader in the world13. One of the Greenest Cities in the World14. Top "safest" countries in the world15. Top best airports in the world16. The world's leading modern subway system17. One of the cleanest public toilets in the world
Here's a video from 11 years ago on why the US is NOT the Greatest Country in the World.
This is from a TV series (The Newsroom), and while there is a lot of truth in the stats recited, America (US) is still the desirable country that people want to migrate to and live in. People still aspire to move to the US, seeing it as the land of opportunity.
The point is that Singapore chases all these #1 rankings because these are good objective measures of what has been achieved for Singapore and Singaporeans, and there is some objective measure that we have done well. Not the dogmatic and ideologically-biased assessment by ideologues with political agendas or hidden agendas.
And the video from "The Newsroom" is not to show up the US compared to Singapore. Yes, the US has a lot of issues. But it still is the land of opportunity. With many people wanting to move there. It has a vibrancy, possibilities, potential.
Singapore is #1 in many things, and this speaks to our achievement as a country. It is a measure of our success, our achievements, our viability as a country, a society, a people, and an economy. Is Singapore attractive as a destination for immigrants? Yes.... but...
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