Quality of Life
Explore the Quality of Life reports to better understand service user needs and improve their well-being with insights from WHOQOL-BREF and KIDSCREEN frameworks.
Last updated 16 December 2025
Overview
The Quality of Life reports seek to identify service user needs, better mobilise resources to address them, and improve their well-being.
To measure the quality of life, the World Health Organisation Quality of Life framework (WHOQOL-BREF) is used for adult respondents (18 years and above), while the KIDSCREEN framework is used for children and youth respondents (under 18 years).
KIDSCREEN-27
WHOQOL-BREF
From Aug 2024 onwards, NCSS revised the reporting of QOL domains and overall QOL score for better alignment with international norms for QOL reporting. As a result, QOL scores in materials published before Aug 2024 may differ from those published after.
Quality of Life in Singapore
Social service agencies can use these national averages as reference points. When service users score significantly below these national averages in specific domains, it helps agencies identify gaps and target their support services more effectively.
Scores range between 0-100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Quality of Life of Children (Ages 3-17)
Last Updated: July 2025
| Mean Score | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile (Median) | 75th Percentile | SD | Cronbach’s Alpha |
Overall QOL | 77 | 69 | 77 | 86 | 13 | 0.93 |
Physical Well-being | 78 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 17 | 0.86 |
Psychological Well-being | 78 | 71 | 79 | 89 | 13 | 0.84 |
Autonomy and Parent Relation | 77 | 68 | 79 | 89 | 16 | 0.83 |
Social Support and Peers | 75 | 63 | 75 | 94 | 19 | 0.88 |
School Environment | 76 | 69 | 75 | 88 | 16 | 0.84 |
Quality of Life of Adults (Ages 18+)
Last Updated: July 2025
Mean Score | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile (Median) | 75th Percentile | SD | Cronbach’s Alpha | |
Overall QOL | 69 | 62 | 70 | 76 | 12 | 0.93 |
Physical Domain | 73 | 64 | 75 | 82 | 14 | 0.80 |
Psychological Domain | 66 | 58 | 67 | 75 | 14 | 0.80 |
Social Relationship Domain | 69 | 58 | 75 | 75 | 16 | 0.66 |
Environment Domain | 67 | 59 | 69 | 75 | 13 | 0.85 |
Technical Notes on the Quality of Life in Singapore
How were these national averages collected?
This data was from two national surveys conducted by NCSS:
NCSS 2024 Quality of Life of Children and Youth and Caregivers Study
Sample size: 2,000 Singapore Resident children aged 3-17 years
Collection method: Face-to-face household interviews
Survey period: Dec 2023 - Jul 2024
Responses were weighted to ensure representativeness against the Singapore resident population by age, race, and sex.
For children aged 3-6, KIDSCREEN questionnaire completed by caregiver. For children aged 7-17, KIDSCREEN questionnaire completed by child.
NCSS 2022 Quality of Life Study
Sample size: 6,000 Singapore Residents aged 18 years and above
Collection method: Face-to-face household interviews
Survey period: Jan 2022 – Jun 2022
Responses were weighted to ensure representativeness against the Singapore resident population by age, race, and sex.
How should I interpret these scores?
Responses were collected on a five-point Likert scale, then converted to a 0-100 scale for analyses. Higher scores indicate better quality of life, 50 represents the neutral point
Domain scores were calculated as mean of constituent facet scores. Overall QOL score was calculated as mean of domain scores.
Percentiles: Show how scores are distributed in the population.
SD (Standard Deviation): Indicates the typical variation from the mean.
Cronbach's Alpha: Measures the reliability of the scores.
For queries, please contact us at research@ncss.gov.sg.
Quality of Life research studies
Understanding the quality of life of caregivers
This initiative focuses on the well-being of caregivers to offer insights for service planning and development and a baseline for future comparison.
Understanding the quality of life of children and youth
This nationwide survey investigated the needs and well-being of children and youth across diverse health and socioeconomic strata, as well as the entire span of childhood. It also provided service planning and developmental insights to better support children and youth.
Understanding the quality of life of adults with mental health issues
The nationwide survey explored the needs and well-being of children and youth to offer insights for better service planning and support.
Understanding the quality of life of seniors
The nationwide study surveyed seniors 50+ to understand their needs, identify priorities, and establish a baseline for quality of life.
Understanding the quality of life of adults with disabilities
The study identified the needs of persons with disabilities, highlighted intervention priorities, and established a baseline for their quality of life.