YEARS of strong economic growth have failed to stem Singapore’s
skilled youths from leaving for a better life abroad, with the
number topping 1,000 a
year.
This works out to 4%-5%, or three
in 10, of the highly educated population, a severe brain
drain for a small, young nation, according to Minister Mentor Lee
Kuan Yew.
Such high-end emigration is usually associated with less
better-off countries where living conditions are poor. Here the
opposite is the case.
Last year the economy created almost 200,000 jobs, far in excess
of the 38,000 births recorded.
The future doesn’t look better, either, despite Lee holding out
promises of “a golden period” in the next five to 10 years.
Lee believes the exodus, which has been worrying him for two
decades, could only grow because “every year, there are more people
going abroad for their first or second degree.”
The emigration rate,
one of the highest in the
world on a per capita
basis, is a blow to the
government, particularly to Lee, who takes pride in building up
this once poor squatter colony into a glittering global city.
They are people who abandoned their citizenship for a foreign
one, mostly in Australia, the United States and Canada.
It is particularly serious for two
reasons. First, Singapore is a young nation that is working hard to
consolidate its nationhood and its people, and second, its defence
lies in a reservist army.
This is made up of young men who have served two years of
compulsory military training when they reach the age of 18. Any big
outflow will badly affect security, not to mention the economy.
Adding to a declining birth rate, the problem of emigration,
which appears to have worsened during the past few decades as
people became better educated, will further reduce the base of this
well-trained people’s army.
Hundreds of thousands of foreigners and permanent residents who
have come to Singapore help make up the numbers, but they do not
have to serve national service.
The emigrants, mostly professionals, don’t leave Singapore out of poverty but to seek a better, less
pressurised life.
Lee recently said the brain drain is touching close to this
family.
Lee’s grandson, the elder
son of Prime Minister Hsien Loong, who is studying in the United
States, has indicated that he may not
return.
Over the years, the children of several Cabinet ministers have
also made Britain or the US their home.
Lee, aged 84, has often spoken on the issue with emotions, once
tearing when referring to the losses.
However, he has offered no reasons for the exodus beyond
economic opportunities, although the government more or less knows
what they are.
Singaporeans who have or are planning to emigrate are given a
host of 10 questions and asked to tick the three most important
ones. They include the following: -
> High costs of
living
> Singapore is too regulated
and stifling
> Better career and prospects
overseas
> Prefer a more relaxed
lifestyle
> Uncertain future of
Singapore.
Some liberal Singaporeans believe Lee himself, with his
authoritarian leadership and unpopular policies, is largely to
blame.
Singapore’s best-known writer Catherine Lim calls it a climate
of fear that stops citizens from speaking out against the
government, saying it could eventually lead to the decline of the
state.
She praised the government for its economic achievements but
added: “A compliant, fearful population
that has never learnt to be politically savvy
could spell the doom
of Singapore.”
Globalisation, which offers opportunities in many countries like
never before, is a big reason for the outflow.
Many countries, including populous China, are making a special effort to attract foreign talent.
Others who leave were worried about the future of their children
living in a small island, and look for security and comfort of a
larger country.
The exodus is more than made up – at least in numbers – by a
larger intake of professionals from China and India.
“The trouble is many of the
Chinese then use us as a stepping stone to go to America,
where the grass is greener, Lee said.
“But even if we only keep
30%-40% and lose
60%-70%, we’re a net gainer,” he added.
He believed, however, that the Chinese would cease to come in 20 to 30 years’ time, when China’s living
standards rise to match Singapore’s.
Some feel the large presence of foreigners, and the perks they
enjoy over locals in military exemption as well as in scholarships,
are themselves strong push factors.
They see the foreigners as a threat to jobs and space,
undermining salaries and loosening the nation’s cohesion.
“I just feel very sad to see the
Singapore of today with so many talented, passionate
Singaporeans moving out and
being replaced by many foreigners,” said one blogger.
“I feel sorry for the future.”
Others point out the danger of an easy fix in numbers without
regard to quality.
“Foreigners treat this place as a hotel, when the economy turns they will leave,” said a teacher who is
seeing more and more foreign students in his class.
Lee recently made a
passionate appeal to youths to
think hard about their country. He said they had received education
and opportunities provided by Singaporeans who had worked hard for
it.
“Can you in good conscience say, ‘Goodbye! Thank you very much?’
Can you leave with a clear conscience? I cannot,” he said.
Goodbye and thank you INSIGHT DOWN
SOUTH
BY SEAH CHIANG NEE