Public cleanliness satisfaction falls to 91%: SMU survey

According to a Singapore Management University survey of more than 2,000 residents, public cleanliness satisfaction fell to 91% in 2025, compared with 94% in 2023. This is the lowest since 84% in 2018, with neighbourhood spaces recording the highest decline. Despite an 82.4% satisfaction rating, food outlets continue to be ranked the lowest. Meanwhile, in the first half of 2026, about 5,300 fines were issued for ground littering offences — a quarter less than the 7,000 over the same period last year. The National Environment Agency is also exploring more technology to help keep public spaces clean, including autonomous robot sweepers at three parks since July last year. Claudia Lim and Eugene Chow report.