We are not alone. Singapore's key challenges, raised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday night, are also being confronted elsewhere.

It is a "global tide", said PM Lee, referring specifically to rising religiosity throughout the world.

But health care and greying populations, which he also dwelt on, is hot-button in the US.

So, too, economic recovery and progress. Here's a snapshot of the storm clouds - and the economic silver lining - gathering globally.

RELIGIOUS REVIVAL

Religious groups the world over are becoming more organised, and more passionate and active about their faiths, noted PM Lee.

"This is true of all faiths, all over the world," said Mr Lee.

CHRISTIAN REVIVAL IN THE US:

Politics is shaped largely by religion, with 92 per cent of Americans considering religion important in their lives.

It has become divisive: The Christian right dominates the Republican party, resulting in fierce struggles between the conservatives and liberals over moral and cultural issues, such as abortion, gay marriages and stem cell research.

MUSLIM REVIVAL WORLDWIDE:

• Stronger sense of a global umma (Muslim community)
• Major change in just one generation in Malaysia, with stricter observance of rules on dress, food, alcohol, contact between men and women
• Islam increasingly becoming a major factor in Malaysian politics and Indonesia

GROWING CHRISTIAN DOMINANCE IN SOUTH KOREA

Christians occupy important positions in business and in politics, including the presidency. This has led to concerns within the Buddhist community.

Last year, thousands of Buddhist monks staged a protest against what they saw as the government favouring Christians and discriminating against Buddhists.

ECONOMY

The global situation is stabilising, said PM Lee. And so is the situation in Singapore.

Along with Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan are officially out of the recession.

So too France and Germany. Both economies reported a return to growth in the second quarter, bringing an end to recession in two of Europe's biggest economies.

"It will take some time," said Mr Lee, "but eventually the global economy will turn around, and Asia will sustain its recovery."

"By then, our new strategies, investments, and workers' upgrading will have taken effect."

HEALTHCARE

Now the most contentious issue in the US.Republicans are doing everything they can to thwart President Barack Obama's health-care reforms.

Issue has been clouded by misinformation, name-calling, protests and heated town hall exchanges.

The chairman of the Republican Party calls the plan health-care "socialism". Others have stoked rumours of a "death panel" in which the government decides who lives and who dies.

The Guardian newspaper calls it "the disturbing new face of the radical right in America".

"Across the country, extremism is surging, inflamed by conservative talk-show hosts, encouraged by Republican leaders and propagating a series of wild conspiracy theories..." reported the Guardian.

Mr Obama has repeatedly said he does not favour a government-run health-care system. Legislation taking shape in the House envisions private insurance companies selling coverage in competition with the government.

Big questions:

Will it be passed before an August recess? Doubtful.

Will it end in a divided America?

Likely, with some speculating an increase in the likelihood of an assasination attempt on Mr Obama.

>> National Day Rally 2009

This article was first published in The New Paper.