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Earlier this month, a study conducted by SMU revealed insights into what Singaporeans consider essential items. Titled “Household Needs Study (HNS),” the survey included 4,014 respondents from various income levels, educational backgrounds, and age groups, asking them about their daily household needs. Unsurprisingly, all groups deemed household appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, as well as services such as public transportation and digital connectivity, essential. However, the study highlighted interesting differences in how various groups perceive other items as essential or non-essential. In this article, we identify seven areas where lower—and middle-income households differ from higher-income households regarding what is considered essential. We examine the study and highlight key areas where respondents living in 1-2 room HDB flats and 3-4 room HDB flats have differing views compared to those living in private properties. We also compare how the responses differed based on household income. For more details, you can access the . Perhaps due to limited space in the home, 61.6% of respondents living in 1-2 room HDB flats deemed a dedicated table and chair for work and study essential. In contrast, 86.4% of respondents living in private properties considered having a dedicated table and chair for work and study as essential. The survey results show the following percentages for considering a dedicated table and chair essential: The trend is clear: those living in larger homes are more likely to consider having a dedicated table and chair for work and study as essential. Many of us would likely think having a personal computer or laptop is vital. However, the truth is that your answer to this question greatly depends on which group you belong to. Only 39.9% of respondents living in 1-2 room HDB flats deemed having a personal computer important. In contrast, 77.6% and 77.4% of respondents living in private properties and 5-room or larger HDB flats deemed a personal computer essential, respectively. Using household income as a comparison, we see a similar difference in how lower-income and higher-income households view the necessity of a personal computer. Among households with a monthly income of $2,500 or lower, 45.2% considered a personal computer essential. For those with a household income of $17,000 or more, 85.0% deemed it essential. The weather in Singapore can get very hot, and many of us turn on the air conditioning at home to cope with the heat. But is having air conditioning considered essential or a luxury? The answer depends on who you ask. Among respondents living in 1-2 room HDB flats, only 34.3% consider having air-conditioning at home essential. In contrast, for those living in private properties, 77.5% view it as essential. Is going to the dentist at least once a year essential? Again, this depends on who you ask. For those living in 1-2 room HDB flats, 65.6% deem going to the dentist once a year for dental treatment essential. Among those living in private properties, 85.5% consider it essential.   Regarding other dental needs, such as braces and dentures prescribed by dentists, all groups responded similarly. Among those living in 1-2 room HDB flats, 55.7% deemed it essential, while 51.4% of those living in private properties considered it essential. If you assume that wealthier people have more needs and want more material possessions, this isn’t always true. Take, for example, a television set. Once considered an essential item in every Singaporean home, this is no longer universally true. Among those living in 1-2 room HDB flats, 86.0% still consider a television essential. However, a lower percentage—just 79.5%—consider it essential among those living in private properties. This trend continues when we look at household income levels. Among the lowest-income households in Singapore (earning less than $2,500 a month), 88.8% consider television essential. Yet, among households earning $17,000 or more, only 69.3% consider it essential. It is not true that lower-income and higher-income households will always be at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to defining what is essential. Take student care services for working parents as an example. Among respondents living in 1-2 room HDB flats, 52.5% consider these services essential. Similarly, among those living in private properties, 54.1% consider them essential. However, among those living in 3-4 room HDB flats (69.1%) and 5-room and larger HDB flats (72.3%), a much higher percentage deem student care services for working parents essential. One possible explanation for this could be that those living in 1-2 room HDB flats might prefer to find cheaper solutions to care for their kids after school. On the other hand, those living in private properties might have multiple alternatives, such as grandparents living with them or a domestic helper, reducing the need for student care services. Another interesting observation from the study is how households perceive the need for private tuition. Only 37.9% of respondents living in 1-2 room HDB flats consider private tuition essential. Interestingly, only 43.2% of those living in private properties consider private tuition essential. In contrast, those living in 3-4 room HDB flats polled the highest, with more than half (51.9%) considering it essential. A similar trend follows when we look at it from a household income perspective. Middle-income households seem to regard private tuition more highly as an essential item than lower—and higher-income families. While it’s easy for everyone to agree that certain items, such as a home to live in, a mattress to sleep on, and clothes to wear, are essential in Singapore, the definition of what constitutes an essential item can vary for other things. How we live our lives today and the environment we grew up in can shape our views on what’s essential and what is not. For instance, a child who grew up with a personal computer and air-conditioning at home may naturally consider these items essential as they grow older. In contrast, less affluent individuals might view these items as luxuries rather than necessities.