SINGAPORE - Longer Life Expectancy

When it comes to longevity, few places in the world have seen such a drastic jump in life expectancy as the island city-state in Southeast Asia.

A child born in Singapore in 1960 was only likely to live to 65. But today, 60 years after Singapore’s independence in 1965, life expectancy has surged past 86, according to estimates. In addition, the number of centenarians in Singapore doubled over the 10-year period from 2010-2020.

But it’s not just the quantity of life, but also the quality of life that residents here appreciate.

Singapore’s healthcare system has also received global accolades for both its quality of care and its ability to keep costs contained. The 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index ranked the country the best in the world as it relates to citizens’ health and their ability to access healthcare. The country offers universal healthcare coverage, but also has a mix of private services and savings funds to help cover out-of-pocket expenses.

Though the population is diverse, with people emigrating here from across the world, the government prioritizes a strong sense of social cohesion, enforced through laws and enforcement. The state has strict laws (and penalties) against littering, smoking in public, drugs and even jaywalking, but many residents find the regulations help keep the country a safer and more beautiful place to live.

-www.bbc.com, 17 August 2025

Commentary: Singapore often appears near the top of lists for quality of life and life expectancy. As the article states, they have a strong sense of social cohesion, despite a diverse population. The government has done a good job with regard to healthcare and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Concerning religion, Google’s AI Overview states: “Singapore is a religiously diverse country with Buddhism as the largest religion (around 31% of the population), followed by a significant population of no religion (around 20%), Christianity (around 19%), and Islam (around 15.6%). Other religions with notable followings include Taoism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. The country is known for its religious harmony and tolerance, where various major religions coexist peacefully.”

This religious mixture foreshadows the day when the Antichrist will cause all people to live in supposed harmony, with worship of him as the unifying factor: “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). -By K. Farmer