Vital insights, signature perspectives.

We are passionate observers and analysts of the trends shaping Asia. We frequently engage communities across the region for real-time insights and publish our perspectives prolifically.

You can find out what matters to Southeast Asia with ASEANScan, explore contemporary community insights on SensingSG, and stay informed with our fresh perspectives via our blog below.

SensingSG Q1 2026 Briefing: Singaporeans Back National Direction even as Personal Finance Sentiment Diminishes

SensingSG’s Q1 2026 data shows that Singaporeans continue to back the country’s overall direction, with 89% saying it is on the right track. Yet beneath that headline resilience, household sentiment is weakening fast. Economic pessimism has doubled in a single quarter, personal finance confidence has slipped to a two-year low, and the impact of global price shocks is beginning to register more sharply in daily life.

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SensingSG: Why Singapore’s Hawker Culture is Facing an Existential Threat

Blackbox’s latest SensingSG data shows that hawker culture remains deeply embedded in everyday Singaporean life, with 95% saying it is important and 69% calling it “very important” or “essential”. Yet this cultural mainstay is entering a more fragile phase. Rising costs, an ageing hawker population and resistance to price increases are creating a structural squeeze, leaving many Singaporeans worried that one of the country’s most defining institutions may slowly fade without more decisive intervention.

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Navigating the Year of the Horse: 8 Signals Reshaping Singapore’s Communication Landscape in 2026

Is your strategy ready for the "Year of the Horse"? Blackbox CEO David Black identifies eight signals reshaping Singapore's communications landscape—from Chinese brand dominance and AI disruption to healthcare anxieties and PR-IR convergence. The mandate: transform from message carrier to strategic interpreter in 2026.

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The Legacy of LKY in the Age of Extremes

In a fragmenting world, Lee Kuan Yew’s principles have evolved from lived memory into Singapore’s "active DNA". While most citizens now view his legacy as more significant than a decade ago, this is not a slide into nostalgia or personality cults. Instead, Singaporeans are using LKY’s core virtues — foresight, meritocracy, and discipline — as a moral yardstick to scrutinize the performance of current leadership.


Drawing on original data from Blackbox’s SensingSG, this essay by David Black explores how LKY's "operating philosophy" serves as a global benchmark for governance.

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SensingSG Q2 2025: Tariffs, Trust, and Turning Points

Singaporeans Steady at Home, Uneasy Abroad
SensingSG’s Q2 2025 data paints a picture of a confident Singapore — 90% say the country is on the right track, and personal financial sentiment continues to improve post-GE2025. Yet, this domestic optimism contrasts with growing unease abroad. Trump’s tariffs have soured sentiment toward the U.S., with 1 in 3 reducing spending on American goods. Meanwhile, Chinese brands are rising fast, beating out some American competitors, and reflecting a shifting trust landscape that’s beginning to shape everyday choices at home.

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Community Sentiment, Technology, Finance, Banking Siddharth Tergaonkar Community Sentiment, Technology, Finance, Banking Siddharth Tergaonkar

Singapore’s Scam Paradox: Rising Losses and Rising Trust?

As scams surge, how is Singapore responding — and is it working?

Scams and cybercrime are rising worldwide, and Singapore has not been spared. In 2024, public satisfaction with the government’s handling of scams rose to 72% — a significant increase from just 54% the year before. Our latest article explores what’s driving this shift in public sentiment, from landmark legislation to stronger enforcement, and whether these efforts are enough to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated scams and uphold increased public trust.

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Finance, Economy, Technology Siddharth Tergaonkar Finance, Economy, Technology Siddharth Tergaonkar

Singapore’s Crypto Conundrum: High Adoption, Deep Skepticism

Singapore is positioning itself as a major player in the crypto space, but beneath the surface, public sentiment is far from unanimous. While infrastructure and regulation are advancing, many Singaporeans remain wary of crypto’s risks. In our latest research, we uncover who's really investing — and why so many are still holding back. Read on to explore the interesting divides and what they reveal about the future of crypto in Singapore.

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Sensing the Shift: How Singaporeans Are Thinking Ahead of GE2025

As GE2025 approaches, the latest SensingSG findings show rising voter engagement, strong leadership approval for PM Wong and the Workers Party's Pritam Singh, and cost of living as the top electoral issue. Find out how Singaporeans are thinking, feeling, and preparing to vote.

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Blackbox Research Report - 'Healthy, Wealthy, Wise' Cracking the Code to a Good Life infographic
Keep your finger on the pulse of Asia - Blackbox Research