I guess that’s what you get for being a first world country!
In a first world country like Singapore, being first is everything.
It’s almost a uniquely Singaporean obsession. Your parents want you to be top of the class. Our kiasu-ness makes us the first to arrive at meetings. Heck, we even try to be the first in every long queue in existence.
With this mindset, it’s no wonder that Singapore has finished top in several achievements around the world.
In fact, in today’s (30 June) news alone, two places – Universal Studios Singapore and the Port Of Singapore – were rated the best theme park and seaport in Asia respectively.
But, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This year alone, Singapore has emerged first in so many other areas, and perhaps it’s a good time to look back at how far our humble little island has come so far.
1. You can’t beat Changi (World’s Best Airport)
For the fifth year running – yes, the fifth year – Changi Airport has been voted by tourists and travellers as the best airport in the world via the 2017 World Airport Awards.
So yes, we’re sort of the Manchester United of airports.
The awards, which was based on 13.82 million traveller recommendations, placed Singapore as the best airport in the world, Asia, and for leisure amenities out of 550 airports.
With swimming pools, movie theatres, free video games, comfortable sleeping lounges, and even a butterfly park, it’s no surprise why weary travellers would love transiting in Changi Airport.
If you thought Changi Airport would stop there, it gets even better. Changi Airport is currently building a multi-level retail complex extension to Terminal 1 named Jewel, and it looks amazing.
See it for yourself.
2. Our Passport Also Champions The Rest (World’s Best Passport)
For some reason, when it comes to tourism, we’re really good. Thus, it’s no shocker that we also have the world’s best passport.
The small red book we are all so familiar with ended up joint-first with Germany under this year’s Arton Capital’s Global Passport Power Rank.
With a score of 159, this means that Singapore’s travel mobility and freedom is as unrivalled as Germany.
To give you an idea of where our passport can take us, we can go to lesser known countries like Zimbabwe (up to 180 days), New Caledonia (up to 30 days), and Guam (up to 45 days) without the need for a VISA.
Going on holidays has never been easier.
3. We Are The Most E-Competitive (World’s Most Digitally Competitive)
Singaporeans are obsessed with technology.
It’s a good thing for shy people as you’ll never make eye contact with anybody, because well, they’re always on their mobile phones.
On the bright side, at least this anti-social behaviour has gotten us somewhere, as we were ranked the world’s most digitally competitive country under Swiss Business school IMD’s World Digital Competitive Ranking.
The ranking, which looks at a country’s economy’s ability to use digital technology to transform government, businesses and society, has allowed us to be placed above innovative countries like Sweden and Denmark.
I guess Singapore’s smart nation drive is working!
4. We’re the Smartest…sort of (Best University In Asia)
Earlier this year, while NUS and NTU students were busy debating about which school was better, they failed to see the bigger picture – we were actually the best university in Asia.
Under the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world ranking in 2017, Nanyang Technological University was ranked 11th globally, which made it the top university in Asia for the first time in history.
Naturally, with being first the top priority for Singaporeans (told you so), students in Singapore pointed out the subjective ranking criteria of the QS system.
To soothe everybody’s fears, NUS was also placed as the top university in Asia under the Times Higher Education rankings.
At the end of the day, whichever way you see it, Singapore’s university education is the top in Asia. Yay!
5. But Also The Most Gloomy (Unhappiest Country In Southeast Asia)
While Singapore has many notable achievable, it certainly comes at a cost. In doing so, we accidentally achieved another top accolade.
Getting to the top requires effort, energy, and time, and it all eventually culminates into Singapore being the unhappiest country in Southeast Asia in 2016.
The study, conducted by JobStreet.com, surveyed seven Asian nations and found that Singaporeans were the most gloomy people in the region with an unsatisfactory score of 5.09 out of 10.
Specifically, the study found that Singaporeans were pessimistic about their jobs, with corporate senior executives being the most unhappy.
It’s no wonder that workplace stress is on the rise, according to a survey titled “Working In Asia” by Roffey Park.
So come on Singaporeans, smile a bit.
6. …And You Can Probably Beat our MRT (World’s Most Frequent Train Breakdowns?)
A special mention should go to our train system. No, not because it’s the best in Asia, but because it could very well be the train system with the highest frequency of breakdowns.
In fact, just two days ago (28 June), there was a massive breakdown along the North South Line where delays were reportedly up to 2 hours long due to a “track point fault”.
This has inspired someone to set up an online petition to get Singapore into the Guinness Book of World Records for the Highest Number of Train Delays in a Year.
The description for the petition – which has already gained 515 signatures as of writing – reads:
“We are only passed the first half of 2017 and already, we have lost count on the number of disruptions which have been happening everyday without fail.
“Please support this Petition. Together let’s keep our world moving!”
Well…he’s not wrong there. Whether it’s good or bad, accidental or on purpose, we’re on top. That’s what matters….right?
