It’s been two years since Singapore was named among the world’s “Blue Zones”, a National Geographic designation for places where people enjoy longer, healthier lives thanks to community, culture, diet, and lifestyle factors. But, after a good 2024 for visitor numbers and amid a push to recover and beat pre-COVID tourist levels, other over-touristed destinations around the world will be watching keenly to see whether the Southeast Asian island city-state can maintain that Blue Zone quality of life while chasing more international arrivals.
Government policy has been an important driver of the longevity gains seen in the last six decades, during which average life expectancy in Singapore has increased by a whopping 35%. Taxation on tobacco products and alcohol, coupled with public smoking bans, has improved both public health and air quality.
In a region whose cuisine uses rich ingredients such as sugar, salt and coconut milk, food labelling is lagging somewhat behind, but new mandatory nutrition labelling is said to be influencing consumer choices. A food market that increasingly must cater to international convenience could jeopardise that progress.
Still, reinforcing government intervention and personal responsibility is a safety net in the form of a health system ranked best in the world according to the Legatum Prosperity Index, for both access to care and health outcomes.
Approaches to the lived urban environment also contribute to Singaporeans’ health and well-being. Alongside good public transport options and an emphasis on mobility and walkability, parks and green spaces are integrated into the cityscape in such a way that Singapore has been nicknamed the “garden city.”
The tropical Botanic Gardens, smack in the centre of the city, are unique in the world in being UNESCO-recognised, while East Coast Park is perhaps a lesser-known option offering kilometres of sandy, seaside walks.
Alongside all those options for finding peace and quiet, social cohesion is part of what makes Singapore work so well. Among one of the most diverse populations in the world, a sense of calm and collective responsibility is reportedly promoted by notoriously strict laws against drugs, jaywalking, littering, and smoking in public, breaking which will result in hefty fines and punishments.
That strong social fabric is an important element of the Blue Zone methodology. But even in Singapore, tensions have been expressed over the way development is taking place. An addition to the city’s Marina Bay district – in the shape of a fourth tower and a Las Vegas-branded hotel and entertainment complex on what is a highly recognisable skyline – has caused some locals to complain about changes to their beloved vista. And as the island targets more and more tourists, it remains to be seen whether the outlook in this particular Blue Zone will stay as sunny as in recent years.
