Sandwich class
Encyclopedia
The sandwich class is an informal term used in Singapore
and Hong Kong
to refer to the middle class
.
Very generally, the sandwich class consists of lower middle class people who feel "squeezed" — although they are not poor, they are not able to achieve their aspirations as people with a higher income.
In Hong Kong, this comprises families with an income of between $20,000 and $40,000USD per year. Per capita income is typically around $10,000USD per year in Hong Kong, so this places them far above the average family in the territory. However, given very high real estate prices, it is nowhere near enough for them to afford a private residence. Hence, they are "sandwiched" between the large population who truly need public assistance, and the smaller amount of people who can afford private residences and other luxury goods.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
to refer to the middle class
Middle class
The middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
.
Very generally, the sandwich class consists of lower middle class people who feel "squeezed" — although they are not poor, they are not able to achieve their aspirations as people with a higher income.
In Hong Kong, this comprises families with an income of between $20,000 and $40,000USD per year. Per capita income is typically around $10,000USD per year in Hong Kong, so this places them far above the average family in the territory. However, given very high real estate prices, it is nowhere near enough for them to afford a private residence. Hence, they are "sandwiched" between the large population who truly need public assistance, and the smaller amount of people who can afford private residences and other luxury goods.
See also
- Sandwich generationSandwich generationThe Sandwich generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children.In the United States, Sandwich Generation Month is a month of awareness to commemorate and celebrate the dedication, patience and caring of adults who are part of the Sandwich...
- Sandwich Class Housing SchemeSandwich Class Housing SchemeSandwich Class Housing Scheme was a scheme by the Hong Kong Housing Society for building apartments that were sold to middle-income families, i.e. sandwich class, at concessionary prices during the 1990s. The purchases were subject to a five-year resale restriction. The first development, Tivoli...
in Hong Kong - My Home Purchase PlanMy Home Purchase PlanMy Home Purchase Plan is one of the public housing initiatives of Hong Kong. This plan enables eligible citizens to purchase homes by way of "rent-and-buy". The Plan aims to provide assistance to potential sandwich class home buyers who are able to repay mortgages in the long term but currently do...