Communications and Information Technology Minister Lim Swee Say, in a speech to graduates of a polytechnic college here, cautioned young Singaporeans against neglecting social values in the race to the top.

"Do not look at life as a rat race. Otherwise, the best you can become is nothing more than the number one rat, even if you win the race," he said.

Government officials have been pressing the importance of social values and family ties as information technology takes over almost every aspect of life in this small but prosperous island-state.

Lim told the graduates that "family is the greatest source of happiness."

"You can spend all your time and energy chasing after wealth and success in the new economy. But all the wealth in this world is not enough to make you a happy person if you have no one to laugh with, no one to cry for," he said.

Referring to the problem of low fertility rates, the minister said only a few Singaporeans were marrying early and producing enough children to replenish the population.

"Why not move around and meet as many people as you can," he said.

"When the right one comes along, instead of using your head to calculate the risk and rewards of a relationship, why not let your heart do the talking, go ahead, fall in love and commit yourself wholeheartedly."

A survey commissioned by the Straits Times newspaper last week suggested that Singaporeans were becoming increasingly materialistic.

Disputes among neighbours were also on the rise, sparking concerns that attempts at fostering neighbourliness may be failing, the newspaper said in another report.

Singapore, which emerged from being a tropical backwater to become one of Asia's wealthiest nations in little more than 30 years, has among the world's highest living standards, with per capita income at S$40,000 (US$23,255) annually.