AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON ATTITUDES TOWARDS EUTHANASIA IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

By 2050, 47% of the population in Singapore will be above 65 years old (United Nations, 2017). As more Singaporeans suffer from health impairments in old age, there is a need to consider euthanasia as a possible end-of-life option. While this is the case, discourse on euthanasia in Singapore have been limited in the medical and legal spheres. This paper aims to investigate the public’s receptiveness to legalising euthanasia as well as factors that influence Singaporeans’ attitudes towards euthanasia. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 234 Singaporeans who are of voting age. The survey found that 74% of the sample is supportive of legalisation of euthanasia. A higher sense of autonomy in decision making and the belief that euthanasia is morally acceptable is found to predict greater support for euthanasia. Additionally, belief in the afterlife, race, and religion are correlated with support for euthanasia. On the other hand, personal experiences like exposure to a recent death and a suicide had no effect on attitudes towards euthanasia. This study provides an indication of support for a right to die bill in Singapore which should be further explored in more comprehensive studies.