I REFER to Ms Heng Siew Cheng's letter, 'Why one couple is resettling in Sweden'', (July 17) and the replies by Singapore Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua (July 22), and 'Where else can you buy your home in 5 years?'' by Mr Peter Wadeley (July 24)

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Thanks mate.

You have highlighted statistics which most Singaporeans would not have known.

Our government like to use flattering statistics to show that they have done a good job, and shun the negative statistics reported in other surveys. Often criticising those as not reliable or credible, alternatively they will say these reports are out to fix Singapore.

I may consider Sweden as a destination to migrate to besides Canada.

Yeah, I love Sweden too. The Swedes are real sweeties.

Norwegian even wealthier. And the cost of living there is unbelievable - I think that helps weed out all the poor people.

A very well written reply and the facts stated are truly something for singaporeans and the government to mull over before rolling out the next round of embarassing baby incentives.

The time is right now. COE drops again, market sentiment is weak, enbloc slowing down, inflation moving high, oil price is lowering. So it is very good time to buy car now ! If you dun buy it now, when 2/3 casinos about to open, the COE demand will be high! No more hope then. So buy it now. Then no more this price. COE is a paper to bid before you can legally buy a car. On top of COE, a car is taxed 120% of its value together with a PARF of 10-20k. So a cheap toyota/honda can actually buy a BMW in Europe or Australia. Come and look at SIN, there are lots of them on the street. This is how rich SIN ppl are!

Can all these facts in the letter be proven or demolished?
MIWs will be on it soon, isn't it? PM will be thinking hard about it too for his ND Rally speech, isn't it?

"Swede quality of life" in ST Forum, 8th August 2008, eve of RD's National Day:

I REFER to Ms Heng Siew Cheng's letter, 'Why one couple is resettling in Sweden'', (July 17) and the replies by Singapore Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua (July 22), and 'Where else can you buy your home in 5 years?'' by Mr Peter Wadeley (July 24).

My Singaporean wife moved to Sweden in 2001. She gave birth to our first child, a boy, last November. We are now on holiday, extending our first flush of joy of parenting in Singapore with my wife's family.

My wife, a teacher, is on a year's maternity leave. I am on paternity leave for 45 days here. When I return home, I shall still be on paternity leave for three more months. The generous duration of our parental leave is mandated by the state.

Mr Wadeley implies that Singaporeans can buy a home in five years. I disagree. Last year, the median household income was $4,870. Even with grants, an average family cannot pay off a flat that quickly. It is also unachievable for Ms Heng and her Swedish husband, even if their collective income barely breaches the HDB's $8,000 bar.

Mrs Lim's comparison is incomplete. Nine in 10 Singaporeans merely lease their homes (HDB flats are typically 99-year leaseholds). Freehold ownership is higher in Sweden: Forty per cent live in landed property, 20 per cent in freehold condos and 40 per cent in rental flats. Swedish rental flats are akin to HDB flats. The main differences are that there is no downpayment, and the rental contract does not expire.

It is true, as Mrs Lim says, that Swedes spend 13 per cent of their income on housing. But for the money, half of us have our own garden - and precious time - to play with our children.

She suggests it is less expensive to raise children here. It is true that consumer goods are cheaper here and Singapore ranks third globally in per capita GDP (purchasing power adjusted) and Sweden 12th, according to the World Bank. But as more of Singapore's GDP comprises imports and exports, the statistic does not reveal the extent of benefit to its citizens.

The World Bank uses Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) as an affordability benchmark. Including goods and services provided by the government, it tells how much one has for useful spending, either directly or through tax. Sweden's HFCE per capita, in 2005 figures, is US$30,000, (S$42,000) double Singapore's US$14,000.

Ms Heng is concerned about raising children here. Having lived in both countries, I agree. The United Nations' Human Development Index, based on 350 indicators, tracks 'a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living'. Sweden ranks sixth worldwide, while Singapore trails at 25th.

I am not advocating the adoption of Sweden's welfare system wholesale. But, if Singapore adopts a tiny part, giving parents flexibility and cheaper childcare, it probably means a tax hike of just a few per cent.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Ms Heng to Sweden.

Jan Sundström

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s quality-of-life index showed Sweden placed in 6th position, while Singapore is in the 11th position.

There is no way we can compare with Sweden. Singaapore is only a city state and a small island.

Singapore government aspires to be in the same league as HK, Tokyo, New York and London.... an international commercial city. The cost of living in these cities are rather high.

In this case, we should compare with these cities and not another European country.

Mercer's 2008 Quality of Living Survey results showed Sweden placed at position 20, while Singapore is placed at position 32.

http://www.mercer.com/referenceconte...7990#Top50_qol