One of my SMU students went for a few months of attachment in Denmark. Here is her observations about life there.
Hi Prof Tan, Life in Denmark is very different from Singapore. People here are very relaxed and know how to enjoy their life. In fact, they are one of the happiest people in the world. As you might now, Denmark is a welfare state with the highest income tax rate in the world. However, the welfare system is very well-run and efficient. Thus, the living standard over here is very high and most of the Danes receive good education. Compared to Denmark, Singapore is more bustling because we work way too hard. Here, the shops and supermarkets close at 6pm on average. There are many differences but I am really enjoying my time here so far.
I wish you have been well too. Hope to hear more about your experiences and thoughts about the presidential elections when we meet.
I ask my student to find out how Denmark can afford a high standard of living and welfare for its people. How do they earn their revenue? What are their exports? I believe that they are also a small country with little natural resources, like Singapore. We can learn from Denmark about how to manage a country, using a model that is different from the model pursued in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree.
ReplyDeleteThe small Scandinavian countries in Northern Europe sets a new standard as to what Singapore can work & aspire towards.
Certainly a more visionary and courageous approach than PAP's future vision of "managing our expectations."
Denmark has oil. They are near the North Sea.
ReplyDeleteJust google for the info.
I think you mixed up your Scandinavian countries.
ReplyDeleteNORWAY is the country with the oil.
Denmark *was* 99% dependant on foreign oil. After the Mideast wars and oil embargoes in the 1970s and huge energy inflation etc, Denmark embarked on green energy production. Took them over 20 yrs and hell lots of money and high taxes.
Today Denmark produces more than enough energy for itself using green technology and can even sell excess energy / electricity to neighbouring countries.
1 of my cousins married a Dane, almost immediately after completing her polytechnic education. She got free Danish Uni education. And got free childcare for her 2 kids. She probably earns in her 35-hr week job what a graduate in S'pore will need to work 60-hr per week, even after 40% income tax. Lucky bitch.
@ ANON: 9.47am
ReplyDeleteLibya has oil too.
And they got no where with the oil.
Considering the prices taxpayers are paying, Singaporeans deserve better leadership than;
"What do you want? 3 meals in a hawker centre, a food court or a restaurant."
Hi Mr. Tan,
ReplyDeleteDenmark's external debts seem a bit high, I have a feeling that majority of these benefits are funded by the debts, like here in NZ. I'm not sure though.
Here is the reply from the student on attachment in Denmark:
ReplyDeleteHi Prof,
Denmark has very little oil but is a net exporter of it because they use a lot of clean energy such as wind. Their main exports are high-tech agricultural food products and other highly valued added good such as machinery, pharmaceuticals.
The Danish economy is doing well because of its skilled labour force and the services sector makes up an important part of the economy. With very high taxes and an efficient yet almost corrupt-free government, the income distribution is most fair in the world (according to Gini Coefficient Index). Therefore, the society as a whole enjoy the same high standard of living.
These are my thoughts.
The Danish way can be likened to letting water finds its own level, so everyone gets about equal. In Singapore water is dammed so those upstream get more while those below are deprived. So you create a divide of haves and have nots.
ReplyDeleteLook like the Danish leaders, politicians and government love the Danish people more than they love money.
ReplyDeleteHence the Danish people get upgraded by the government rather than the buildings.
The funny thing is, when you upgrade your own citizens, the entire country also gets an upgrade.
Why?
Because a country is made up of people.
Demolish your people, and you demolish your own country.
Denmark owns greenland, which is now boomtown for mining and oil.
ReplyDeleteUSA owns Alaska which is now boomtown for mining and oil.
ReplyDeleteAnd USA is in a mess.
It's not what you have that matters.
It's what you do with what you have.
And that means leadership, courage and vision.
Take a look at "Digital Life" supplement from Straits Times dated 2 November 2011. Page 7 article on Steve Jobs.
"My passion has been to build an enduring company where people were motivated to make great products. Everything else was secondary. Sure it was to make a profit because that was what allowed you to make great products.
But the products, not the profits, were the motivation.
Sculley flipped those priorities to where the goal was to make money.
It's a subtle difference, but it ends up meaning everything: the people you hire, who gets promoted, what you discuss in meetings."
If only my fellow Singaporeans & leaders could understand what Steve Jobs had said. What a better country we could become.