Religious faith is becoming an increasingly important marker of identity for Singaporeans, even as expressions of worship shift toward more “individualized and digital” practices.
A study released on August 20 by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) reported that more than three-quarters of residents consider religious or spiritual ideas “one of the most important aspects of their lives.”
The report noted that faith is “influencing their views on other issues,” a “significant increase” from previous IPS surveys in 2013 and 2018.
Nationality remains the strongest element of Singaporean identity, but religion has gained prominence among the 80 percent of respondents who identify with a faith.
Agreement with the statement “life would be meaningless without a sense of spirituality” rose from half in 2018 to more than six in ten by 2024.
Muslims were the most likely to say religion is central to their identity, at nearly six in ten. This was followed by 38.4 percent of Christians, 32.9 percent of Catholics, and 32.8 percent of Hindus. Buddhists and Taoists also reported higher numbers than in earlier surveys.
Alongside a stronger sense of identity, researchers observed changes in religious practice. Fewer Singaporeans now pray daily or attend services, while more turn to religious media such as songs and videos, or engage in personal practices like meditation and reading spiritual texts.
This reflects broader shifts in the religious landscape, said researchers Mathew Mathews, Teo Kay Key, Izzul Haziq Murad, and Melvin Tay.
They added that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated online religious engagement as communities developed digital platforms to sustain faith life when physical gatherings were restricted.
Meditation, rooted in many traditions, has also gained popularity in secular circles, blurring the line between religious and personal practice.
The report cautioned that as religion grows in influence, groups may increasingly seek a greater role in policymaking or demand more public space for their traditions.
“While this stronger sense of identity and community among religious adherents may help provide comfort and support, especially in challenging times, there could be implications for confessional harmony if these growing ties,” the study warned, “also lead to increased competition for space and influence among various groups.”
The researchers said Singapore’s regulatory framework for religious harmony can help mitigate risks, but emphasized the need for vigilance.
They highlighted concerns that online religious content, often produced overseas, could introduce ideas unsuitable for the city-state’s multicultural context.
The IPS survey collected data from 4,000 citizens and permanent residents aged 18 and above between April and August 2024. Respondents answered about 350 questions on race, religion, and language.
The report follows an earlier IPS study released in February which found that perceptions of racial and religious harmony in Singapore had improved over the past five years, with higher levels of trust among communities.
