Happy to read that Singapore has been ranked as the best country for children to grow up in. A recent report by NGO Save The Children placed us first, tied with Slovenia.
The report (bit.ly/2sjGV0z) surveyed 175 countries across 8 indicators: under-five mortality rate, child stunting, out-of-school children and youth, child labour, child marriage, adolescent birth rate, population displaced by conflict, and child homicide rate. Each of these harrowing gauges is considered a “childhood ender”. We are fortunate that these grave threats to children are rare or do not exist in Singapore.
Our ranking reflects our success giving every child, regardless of background, the best possible start in life. We fret about social inequality, and indeed should never cease striving against it. But this report is a timely reminder that we have not done badly at all. While tackling our social problems, let us not lose our sense of reality and perspective. – LHL
