World’s second-richest country offer nearly $400 in credits for youth to pursue hobbies and life skills

Launched by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam last Saturday, the SG Youth Plan features more than 20 initiatives aimed at supporting around 500,000 young people in their career planning, personal growth and transition into adulthood over the next five years, The Straits Times reported.

Career exploration is a central part of the plan. More than 10,000 job-tasting opportunities will be available in 2026, with the number expected to increase to 30,000 annually by 2030. The short placements will allow youths to experience different industries and workplaces firsthand in Singapore, which The Economist ranked as the world’s second-richest country by GDP per capita in 2025.

The National Youth Council will also create up to 20,000 mentoring opportunities while expanding its pool of mentors from over 1,000 to 5,000 by the end of the decade.

Later this year, students at institutes of higher learning will be introduced to an “Adulting 101” program covering practical topics such as financial management, healthcare, housing, careers, relationships and marriage.

The S$500 curiosity credits will be available to youths aged 13 to 17 who are supported by self-help organizations including Mendaki, enabling them to take up non-academic activities and broaden their interests outside school.

The government will also add 8,000 places to the Asia-Ready Exposure Programme by 2030, increasing the total number of short-term overseas programs and internships for students at institutes of higher learning to 20,000.

The plan was developed after the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Youth Council consulted more than 60,000 young people between November 2024 and March 2026. The survey found that 76% of respondents were confident about Singapore’s future, but only 66% felt optimistic about their own prospects, Channel News Asia reported.

While 91% of respondents aspired to meaningful careers, 52% said they were concerned they lacked the skills to keep pace with a rapidly changing economy. Around 40% viewed artificial intelligence as a threat to future opportunities rather than an enabler, while 30% reported mental health concerns.

To strengthen social connections, the government will establish 12 free community “third spaces” across Singapore by the end of 2026. Two private co-living operators will also offer more than 100 discounted units, allowing young people to experience independent living while building community ties, according to Singapore news outlet Mothership.

The National Youth Fund will commit S$20 million over the next five years to support youth-led projects.

Youth Corps Singapore also plans to increase annual volunteering opportunities from 10,000 to 16,000 by 2030. A new SG Youth Policy Network will be launched in the first quarter of 2027 to give young people a platform to discuss public policy and social issues.