Changes in perception of religion over time

Shift away from institutionalised religion

Changing modality of engaging with faith

Our fast pace of life on religious affiliation

Youth seeking tangible benefits in faith

The global push toward secularisation

Singapore's religious diversity at risk?

Divination & spirituality in Singapore

Morals, healing & community beyond faith

Is religious non-affiliation a concern?

IPS research fellow Melvin Tay discusses the changing nature of religion in Singapore.

More Singapore residents report having no religious affiliation, rising from one in five in 2020 to one in four in 2025, according to the Department of Statistics’ latest General Household Survey 2025. 

But a separate report by US-based think tank Pew Research found that almost nine in 10 Singapore adults surveyed still believe in God or unseen beings, higher than other South-east Asian countries such as Cambodia and Thailand. 

Is this growth in non-affiliation a cause for concern for Singapore, one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world? And what does religion do for us today?

In this episode, host Zachary Lim speaks with Dr Melvin Tay, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, to examine the changing religious landscape in Singapore. They also discuss whether religious institutions are losing relevance, and the implications of alternative spiritual practices gaining traction among young people.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

1:40 Changes in perception of religion over time

5:59  Shift away from institutionalised religion

10:41 Changing modality of engaging with faith

16:05 Singapore’s fast pace of life on religious affiliation

18:37 Young residents on needing tangible benefits from religious experiences 

20:32 The global push towards secularisation 

26:28 Is Singapore’s religious diversity in jeopardy?

29:46 Emergence of alternative divination and spiritual avenues in Singapore

37:42 Morality, healing, and community beyond institutionalised religions

47:00 Is increasing non-affiliation to religion a cause for concern? 

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Zachary Lim (zachlim@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Editorial producer: Elizabeth Law

Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

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#inyouropinion

IPS research fellow Melvin Tay discusses the changing nature of religion in Singapore.
More Singapore residents report having no religious affiliation, rising from one in five in 2020 to one in four in 2025, according to the Department of Statistics&rsquo; latest General Household Survey 2025.&nbsp;
But a separate report by US-based think tank Pew Research found that almost nine in 10 Singapore adults surveyed still believe in God or unseen beings, higher than other South-east Asian countries such as Cambodia and Thailand.&nbsp;
Is this growth in non-affiliation a cause for concern for Singapore, one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world? And what does religion do for us today?
In this episode, host Zachary Lim speaks with Dr Melvin Tay, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, to examine the changing religious landscape in Singapore. They also discuss whether religious institutions are losing relevance, and the implications of alternative spiritual practices gaining traction among young people.
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
1:40 Changes in perception of religion over time
5:59&nbsp; Shift away from institutionalised religion
10:41 Changing modality of engaging with faith
16:05 Singapore&rsquo;s fast pace of life on religious affiliation
18:37 Young residents on needing tangible benefits from religious experiences&nbsp;
20:32 The global push towards secularisation&nbsp;
26:28 Is Singapore&rsquo;s religious diversity in jeopardy?
29:46 Emergence of alternative divination and spiritual avenues in Singapore
37:42 Morality, healing, and community beyond institutionalised religions
47:00 Is increasing non-affiliation to religion a cause for concern?&nbsp;
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section: <a href="https://str.sg/w7sH?ref=inline-article">https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Host: Zachary Lim (zachlim@sph.com.sg)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Editorial producer: Elizabeth Law
Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt?ref=inline-article"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb?ref=inline-article"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV?ref=inline-article"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/GjMT?ref=inline-article">https://str.sg/GjMT</a>
Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7?ref=inline-article">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts?ref=inline-article">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB?ref=inline-article"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX?ref=inline-article"> </a><a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#inyouropinion

A hard look at the social issues of the month in Singapore. Join ST journalists and other guests as they discuss with Lydia Wong.

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.