Almost 40 per cent of lower‑income families enrolled in Singapore’s ComLink+ scheme had no member earning a regular wage at the end of 2024, according to a Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) report released on 16 December.
The report shows that 4,025 families had no family member in stable employment in 2024, up from 3,563 in 2023. “Stable employment” is defined as work lasting six consecutive months or more within a year, and the data excludes income from platform work before 2025, which may understate actual employment.
Among families that were employed, earnings for households in the bottom 20 per cent rose faster than those of median earners. From 2019 to 2024 the annualised growth for the lowest‑income group was 1.9 per cent, compared with 1.3 per cent for the median group.
Since ComLink+ was introduced in 2024, the programme has shifted away from short‑term ComCare payouts toward incentives for stable jobs, preschool enrolment, debt repayment and home‑saving. By December 2024, 10,219 families had joined the scheme, up from 9,153 a year earlier.
Corporate partners supported more than 500 ComLink+ activities, contributing S$37 million (US$28.7 million) in donations, groceries, family outings and digital‑literacy programmes.
Tracking across six domains – income security, children’s development and education, housing, family functioning, financial resilience and health – the ministry found that 5,763 families had not achieved stability by the end of 2024, an increase from 4,920 in 2023. Of the 2,902 families onboarded in 2024, 61 per cent had not achieved stability, especially in income security and family functioning.
Income Security
In December 2024, 28 per cent of ComLink+ families (2,840 households) were classified as socially mobile in terms of income security, up from 26 per cent (2,342 households) in 2023. This status requires stable employment, no reliance on major financial assistance in the past year, and real income growth over time.
Looking ahead, the ministry could refine the definition of stable employment to include platform work once reliable data become available. Analysts expect that broader recognition of gig‑economy earnings may lower the reported share of families without regular wages, but meaningful progress in stability will likely depend on sustained support for job quality and family services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proportion of ComLink+ families lacked a regular wage earner in 2024?
Almost 40 per cent of lower‑income families on ComLink+ did not have any family member earning a regular wage at the end of 2024.
How many families were classified as having no stable employment in 2024?
4,025 families on ComLink+ had no family member in stable employment with regular income in 2024, up from 3,563 in 2023.
What was the annualised earnings growth for the bottom 20 per cent of earners between 2019 and 2024?
The bottom 20 per cent of earners experienced an annualised growth of 1.9 per cent, compared with 1.3 per cent for the median group.
How do you think these trends will shape the future of social support programmes in Singapore?
