Hi anonymous,
This is a pretty sensitive topic (money always is). But an interesting one, no less!
Especially since 2020 hasn't been a great year so far and we've had to dip into our reserves to fund nearly $100 billion worth in Budgets to save jobs and support families and businesses.
Naturally, any responsible Singapore citizen would want to keep the cost for the National Day Parade (NDP) to a minimum because that money could arguably be better spent elsewhere.
TL;DR: How much does the annual NDP cost?
Thanks to questions asked during Parliament and announcements on the news, we're able to get a good sense of what the costs are like.
But unfortunately, I've only been able to dig up info from 2002 till 2016, so anything from 2017 onwards is based on my estimations and whatever news I can find:
NDP 2020: estimate $13.1 million (indoor show, one third less than what it usually costs)
NDP 2019: estimate $24.7 million (every time we go back to the Padang, there's usually a ~$5 million increase looking at 04 to 05, and 09 to 10; the 2015 NDP is a statistical outlier)
NDP 2018: estimate $19.7 million (held at the same venue, The Float@Marina Bay again)
NDP 2017: estimate $19.7 million (held at The Float@Marina Bay, 2016 was double the price of 2017 NDP due to National Stadium rental)
NDP 2016: $39.4 million (National Stadium)
NDP 2015 (aka SG50): $40.5 million (Padang)
NDP 2011: $17.15 million (The Float@Marina Bay)
NDP 2010: $20.6 million (Padang)
NDP 2009: $15.4 million (The Float@Marina Bay)
NDP 2008: $14.2 million (The Float@Marina Bay)
NDP 2007: $13.75 million (The Float@Marina Bay)
NDP 2006: $7 million (National Stadium)
NDP 2005: $10.3 million (Padang)
NDP 2004: $5.43 million (National Stadium)
NDP 2003: $6.25 million (National Stadium)
NDP 2002: $5.56 million (National Stadium)
Why do we need to hold the NDP every year?
The National Day Parade is more than just a way for us to blow taxpayers' money on a ridiculous amount of fireworks.
It's a unique opportunity for the SAF, Home Team, as well as other government agencies and stat boards to come together in order to plan and execute what is, arguably, the cheem-est government operation every year.
Just in case, you know, sh*t hits the fan and we somehow need to:
mobilise tank columns into our heartlands (read: to protect our sovereignty from invading land forces)
manage the airspace to allow our fighters and helicopters to fly overhead Singapore (read: airstrikes, recon, and aerial support)
clear our shipping lanes so that the Navy can pass through (read: protect our territorial waters)
close roads and yet somehow provide food and clean water to thousands of active personnel and Singaporeans (read: rationing and keeping vital infrastructure alive in the midst of chaos)
and etc... you see where I'm going with this right?
We've always been a particularly kiasu bunch, so if there's anything... ANYTHING we can do to work our processes, exercise our readiness, and impress upon the international community that we've got our sh*t on lock (whether it's responding to war or a disaster). You best believe that the Singapore government is going to do it.
Source: CNA
On top of that, this 2020 NDP is also a way for Singaporeans to give thanks to frontline workers who have been fighting COVID-19.
Source: CNA
So it's not just a display of our defence capabilities and military prowess. It's very much about bringing together Singaporeans from all walks of life and reminding them that we are SGUnited.
And like Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared in his National Day message,
“In good years, our parades rejoice in our progress and look forward to a better future together.
“In difficult years, we still hold National Day Parades, to renew our resolve to weather the storm and take Singapore through to better days.”
Can we really afford the NDP?
Back in 1966 when Singapore marked her inaugural NDP at the Padang...
Source: National Archives of Singapore
we most definitely couldn't afford it then since the money could, again, arguably have been put to better use.
However, it showed the rest of the world that despite great difficulties, Singapore would always find a way to rise to the occasion. That we're united as one and will thrive against any challenges.
Fast forward to today, we're still here, aren't we? Despite spending that money on our very first NDP.
In fact, if we looked back in history, we've held NDP through the worst times including during the:
So... how much does the 2020 NDP cost?
For those worried about spending unnecessary money, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has assured Singaporeans that NDP 2020 has been scaled down and will cost one third less than previous parades.
The majority of savings will come from not having to pay the cost of infrastructure that would have been built if the parade was held at the Padang or the Float@Marina Bay, in order to accommodate tens of thousands of Singaporeans in attendance.
To figure out how much the previous NDPs cost, I checked Parliamentary announcements and news sites. And managed to get data from 2002 all the way till 2016.
The latest and most concrete cost announced for an NDP would be for NDP 2016. Where the rental of the National Stadium pushed the cost up to $39.4 million.
Comparatively, NDP 2017 was held at The Float @ Marina Bay. And since holding it at the National Stadium, like in the previous year, costs double the price. I estimate NDP 2017 to cost about $19.7 million — give or take.
Note: I'm not accounting for inflation here
Since NDP 2018 was held at the same venue, The Float@ Marina Bay. I reckon that my previous estimate of $19.7 million still rings true since there aren't any official figures — which I can find.
NDP 2019 was when we went back to the Padang. If we looked at NDP 2004 to 2005, and NDP 2009 to 2010, you'll notice that there's usually an increase of ~$5 million which I presume is to build the infrastructure for the stage and seats (which would already be in place if we just used The Float @ Marina) at the Padang.
Side note: I'm guessing that's one of the considerations that was brought up when deciding to build the NS Square.
Source: MINDEF, MND and WOHA Architects
Which is basically the re-development of The Float @ Marina Bay into a space to commemorate national service and to be used for future NDPs.
So... for NDP 2020, I'd say it'll be a tad unfair to use NDP 2019's estimated cost as a base since it was held at Padang and is inflated by the need to build infrastructure.
I'll use NDP 2018 (estimate $19.7 million) as a base instead, as to what can be considered a 'regular' parade without the bells and whistles (aka 2015 NDP aka Singapore's Golden Jubilee aka SG50). And since Dr Ng said that NDP 2020 costs one third less, then I estimate NDP 2020 to cost about $13.1 million.
Which is not too bad (in terms of financial prudence), as it brings us close to NDP 2017 levels.
Hi anonymous,
This is a pretty sensitive topic (money always is). But an interesting one, no less!
Especially since 2020 hasn't been a great year so far and we've had to dip into our reserves to fund nearly $100 billion worth in Budgets to save jobs and support families and businesses.
Naturally, any responsible Singapore citizen would want to keep the cost for the National Day Parade (NDP) to a minimum because that money could arguably be better spent elsewhere.
TL;DR: How much does the annual NDP cost?
Thanks to questions asked during Parliament and announcements on the news, we're able to get a good sense of what the costs are like.
But unfortunately, I've only been able to dig up info from 2002 till 2016, so anything from 2017 onwards is based on my estimations and whatever news I can find:
NDP 2020: estimate $13.1 million (indoor show, one third less than what it usually costs)
NDP 2019: estimate $24.7 million (every time we go back to the Padang, there's usually a ~$5 million increase looking at 04 to 05, and 09 to 10; the 2015 NDP is a statistical outlier)
NDP 2018: estimate $19.7 million (held at the same venue, The Float@Marina Bay again)
NDP 2017: estimate $19.7 million (held at The Float@Marina Bay, 2016 was double the price of 2017 NDP due to National Stadium rental)
NDP 2016: $39.4 million (National Stadium)
NDP 2015 (aka SG50): $40.5 million (Padang)
NDP 2011: $17.15 million (The Float@Marina Bay)
NDP 2010: $20.6 million (Padang)
NDP 2009: $15.4 million (The Float@Marina Bay)
NDP 2008: $14.2 million (The Float@Marina Bay)
NDP 2007: $13.75 million (The Float@Marina Bay)
NDP 2006: $7 million (National Stadium)
NDP 2005: $10.3 million (Padang)
NDP 2004: $5.43 million (National Stadium)
NDP 2003: $6.25 million (National Stadium)
NDP 2002: $5.56 million (National Stadium)
Why do we need to hold the NDP every year?
The National Day Parade is more than just a way for us to blow taxpayers' money on a ridiculous amount of fireworks.
It's a unique opportunity for the SAF, Home Team, as well as other government agencies and stat boards to come together in order to plan and execute what is, arguably, the cheem-est government operation every year.
Just in case, you know, sh*t hits the fan and we somehow need to:
mobilise tank columns into our heartlands (read: to protect our sovereignty from invading land forces)
manage the airspace to allow our fighters and helicopters to fly overhead Singapore (read: airstrikes, recon, and aerial support)
clear our shipping lanes so that the Navy can pass through (read: protect our territorial waters)
close roads and yet somehow provide food and clean water to thousands of active personnel and Singaporeans (read: rationing and keeping vital infrastructure alive in the midst of chaos)
and etc... you see where I'm going with this right?
We've always been a particularly kiasu bunch, so if there's anything... ANYTHING we can do to work our processes, exercise our readiness, and impress upon the international community that we've got our sh*t on lock (whether it's responding to war or a disaster). You best believe that the Singapore government is going to do it.
Source: CNA
On top of that, this 2020 NDP is also a way for Singaporeans to give thanks to frontline workers who have been fighting COVID-19.
Source: CNA
So it's not just a display of our defence capabilities and military prowess. It's very much about bringing together Singaporeans from all walks of life and reminding them that we are SGUnited.
And like Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared in his National Day message,
“In good years, our parades rejoice in our progress and look forward to a better future together.
“In difficult years, we still hold National Day Parades, to renew our resolve to weather the storm and take Singapore through to better days.”
Can we really afford the NDP?
Back in 1966 when Singapore marked her inaugural NDP at the Padang...
Source: National Archives of Singapore
we most definitely couldn't afford it then since the money could, again, arguably have been put to better use.
However, it showed the rest of the world that despite great difficulties, Singapore would always find a way to rise to the occasion. That we're united as one and will thrive against any challenges.
Fast forward to today, we're still here, aren't we? Despite spending that money on our very first NDP.
In fact, if we looked back in history, we've held NDP through the worst times including during the:
1988 Asian Financial Crisis
2003 SARS outbreak
2008 Global Financial Crisis
So... how much does the 2020 NDP cost?
For those worried about spending unnecessary money, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has assured Singaporeans that NDP 2020 has been scaled down and will cost one third less than previous parades.
The majority of savings will come from not having to pay the cost of infrastructure that would have been built if the parade was held at the Padang or the Float@Marina Bay, in order to accommodate tens of thousands of Singaporeans in attendance.
To figure out how much the previous NDPs cost, I checked Parliamentary announcements and news sites. And managed to get data from 2002 all the way till 2016.
The latest and most concrete cost announced for an NDP would be for NDP 2016. Where the rental of the National Stadium pushed the cost up to $39.4 million.
Comparatively, NDP 2017 was held at The Float @ Marina Bay. And since holding it at the National Stadium, like in the previous year, costs double the price. I estimate NDP 2017 to cost about $19.7 million — give or take.
Note: I'm not accounting for inflation here
Since NDP 2018 was held at the same venue, The Float@ Marina Bay. I reckon that my previous estimate of $19.7 million still rings true since there aren't any official figures — which I can find.
NDP 2019 was when we went back to the Padang. If we looked at NDP 2004 to 2005, and NDP 2009 to 2010, you'll notice that there's usually an increase of ~$5 million which I presume is to build the infrastructure for the stage and seats (which would already be in place if we just used The Float @ Marina) at the Padang.
Side note: I'm guessing that's one of the considerations that was brought up when deciding to build the NS Square.
Source: MINDEF, MND and WOHA Architects
Which is basically the re-development of The Float @ Marina Bay into a space to commemorate national service and to be used for future NDPs.
So... for NDP 2020, I'd say it'll be a tad unfair to use NDP 2019's estimated cost as a base since it was held at Padang and is inflated by the need to build infrastructure.
I'll use NDP 2018 (estimate $19.7 million) as a base instead, as to what can be considered a 'regular' parade without the bells and whistles (aka 2015 NDP aka Singapore's Golden Jubilee aka SG50). And since Dr Ng said that NDP 2020 costs one third less, then I estimate NDP 2020 to cost about $13.1 million.
Which is not too bad (in terms of financial prudence), as it brings us close to NDP 2017 levels.