A United States-based non-profit organisation has given Singapore top marks in meeting people’s basic needs, such as nutrition and basic medical care. However, it said that there is room for improvement in areas such as personal rights, environmental quality and inclusivity.

The annual Social Progress Index ranked Singapore 27th out of 149 countries overall, ahead of other South-east Asian countries. Singapore had ranked 23rd out of 146 countries in last year’s index, the first time the nation had been included in the survey.

Commenting on the report’s findings, Associate Professor Alan Chong from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said that it was “objective”. He said that while the report has highlighted areas in which Singapore has done well, such as water and sanitation, it also noted that Singapore is a “controlled democracy” which is tuned towards national security interests.

“Singapore is not a democracy in the sense where you can say or protest whenever you like. There are many rules and regulations that prevent spontaneous political expression. The areas where we didn’t score well reflect that,” said Assoc Prof Chong, who specialises in international relations.