How are Singaporeans planning to spend Valentine’s in 2023?

Samuel TanAPAC Data Journalist / B2B Content Manager
February 13, 2023, 6:15 AM GMT+0

Are most Singaporeans planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year – the first without any COVID-19 restrictions in two years – and what activities and gifts are most popular? Here’s what we found from our nationwide poll just days before the romantic event.

Latest data from YouGov Surveys reveals that slightly over half of Singaporeans are not planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year (52%). Of those who plan to, less than a quarter (23%) will celebrate with their romantic partner / spouse, while just under a fifth (19%) plan to celebrate with “friends” or other “family members”.

For Singaporeans celebrating Valentine’s with a romantic partner or buddies this year, heading out for a meal and drinks is the most popular way: three in four among those celebrating with lovers (76%), and three in five among those celebrating with ‘just’ friends (62%).

In contrast, less than half of those celebrating with family plan to do so over a nice meal outside (45%). Instead, most of this group would prefer celebrating at home (71%). Just under half of lovebirds also plan to spending time together at home (47%), while only a fifth of those celebrating with friends are planning to gather at someone’s house (12%) – for obvious reasons.

Singaporeans celebrating Valentine’s with buddies this year are more likely to do so with entertainment programs than those celebrating with a lover or family. This includes watching movies or TV (32 % vs 24-26%), and attending a concert or live performance (13% vs 10-11%).

Just under half of Singaporeans who plan to celebrate Valentine’s this year with their romantic partner (48%), plan to treat their lover to a nice meal and drinks. Gifting flowers – a time-honoured romantic gesture – is on the list for only about three in ten (31%), with most lovebirds perhaps wary of inflated prices during this period.

About a quarter plan to gift clothing and accessories (24%), while under a fifth plan to present their partner with jewellery (18%) or perfume / cosmetics (17%). Only about 15% are planning a homemade gift, while 6% are planning to jet away on a holiday abroad.

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Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provide quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on 9 February 2023, with a nationally representative sample of 1,020 adults in Singapore (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, and ethnicity to be representative of all adults in Singapore (18 years or older), and reflect the latest Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS) estimates. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.

Cover Photo by vjapratama: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-baby-s-breath-flower-in-front-of-woman-standing-near-marble-wall-935789/