Singapore has demonstrated thatinvesting in human capital can have a high payoff and thatnothing is impossible. Its example should inspire others toredouble their own efforts, not to replicate the model inits entirety necessarily but to take full advantage of thevarious lessons that can be learned from the arc of itssuccessful development strategy. Many elements of the Singapore model are today considered conventional wisdom. While manydeveloping countries have attempted to pursue similarstrategies, few have fully succeeded in achieving similarresults. This case study examines the policies, programs andprocesses Singapore has pursued from 1960 to the present topull ahead of other economies. It identifies several factorsthat have undergirded Singapore’s successful implementationof education and health strategies. First, collecting andanalyzing data to harness them for policymaking purposes.Second, able and incorruptible leaders who set highstandards for themselves and others and have lived up tothese standards. Third, Singapore created a meritocratic andlargely non-politicized bureaucracy that could strategize,make far sighted policies, and implement them in acoordinated way. Coordinated implementation is key todelivering results. Fourth, national leadership-maintainedharmony in a multi-ethnic society and proactively defusedtensions. Fifth, Singapore attracted immigrants, bothskilled and unskilled. Sixth, leadership mobilize domesticresources which played a critical role in financinginfrastructure, housing, and other vital investments.Lastly, Singapore has never been comfortable to rest on itslaurels and has always been open to ideas, eager to learn,ready to innovate, and leverage new technologies.
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