Five Cs of Singapore

"Five Cs of Singapore" — namely, cash, car, credit card, condominium and country club membership — is a phrase used in Singapore to refer to materialism.[1] It was coined as a popular observational joke during the 1990s about the aspirations of some Singaporeans to obtain material possessions in an effort to impress others.[2]

In comparison, the "CMPHH" — namely, coin, MRT, public parks, HDB and hawker — is a phrase used in Singapore to refer to minimalism.

Overview
Condominiums are usually considered by many as one of the fundamental "five Cs".

Cash

Cash refers to spending power rather than physical currency. Financial security and affluence is a status symbol worldwide and for much of contemporary human history was the measure of personal worth and success.

Car

Approximately 1 in 10 residents of Singapore own a car.[3] Given high taxation on the import and ownership of motor vehicles (191% on new vehicles, an annual road tax based on engine size, and high pump prices) and a quota system requiring owners to acquire a costly Certificate of Entitlement.[4] Hence, car ownership is a symbol of wealth and power especially in Singapore.

Credit card

Credit cards are a visible symbol of success. Singapore's financial regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore,[5] has stipulated a maximum personal credit limit[6] of two months' income given personal income less than S$30,000, or four months' income for all others. Banks typically issue different types of cards depending on the available credit limit, associating greater cachet with cards that offer a higher limit.

Condominium

In Singapore, privately developed apartments reflect a higher wealth status as compared to public housing also known as HDBs which are public flats built, sold and subsidized by the government. Up to 80% of Singaporeans live in public housing in the country, as land in Singapore is at a premium, meaning that freestanding houses are rare and signify even greater affluence, especially old money.

Country Club

In Singapore, there is a small amount of country clubs which leads to limited expensive membership. Access to membership to country clubs is viewed as exclusivity and an indicator of power and wealth.[7]

New Five Cs

In 2019, it was published that a "new" Five Cs has emerged since the 2010s among Singaporean white-collar workers, with lesser emphasis on materialism. While cash was retained, other C's can now include culture, credibility, career and convenience, among others.[8]

In a web conference of local newspaper Today in 2021, it has been argued that newer generations of Singaporeans are now less materialistic and do not value the original Five Cs as much, and that they have redefined what constitutes as success and priorities in life.[9] A panellist added that they now opt to work for a job that they are passionate in, with the intention to "make a difference", rather than just working for a salary.[9]

In 2022, MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) Circles.Life took to social media to introduce their definition of the new 5Cs with the aim to "reimagine the Singaporean dream" - Connected, Creative, Courageous, Compassionate and Carefree.

References
  1. Archived 13 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Lai, Linette (16 April 2021). "5Cs? It's 3 new Cs such as caring for environment that resonate with young S'poreans: Heng Swee Keat | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  3. Singapore Land Transport Statistics in Brief 2004
  4. Land Transport Authority of Singapore
  5. Monetary Authority of Singapore
  6. Archived 7 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Jordan (27 August 2019). "The Evolving Definition of the Five Cs of Singapore". HR ASIA. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  8. Goh, Melissa (7 August 2019). "No condos and country clubs, here are the new 5Cs defined by Singaporeans". AsiaOne. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  9. Elangovan, Navelene. "Forget the 5Cs, young S'poreans want to make a difference, create impact with their work: TODAY webinar panellists". TODAY. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
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