In an unusually forthright speech in his Marine Parade constituency, Mr Goh said young people should rely less on the government and rediscover the "self-reliant spirit" of the city-state's early immigrants.

"I think many Singaporeans too, especially the younger ones, take their comfortable lives for granted.

"They were born after the tumultuous early years of our independence and never knew the hardships of their parents' generation," Mr Goh said.

"They grew up with a silver spoon in their mouth, a maid at their beck and call and a car to bring them around. They have only experienced strong economic growth and ever-improving standards of living."

The Prime Minister conceded, however, that the problem of dependency had in part been created by success of the People's Action Party (PAP) administration, which has ruled Singapore since independence in 1965.

"Ironically, the efficiency and thoroughness with which the government has provided for and looked after the needs of Singaporeans, have contributed to this attitude of depending on the government to solve even simple problems.

"MPs have also told me that some of their constituents have become more demanding because the general election is approaching. They want MPs to solve their personal problems, or else. This is unhealthy democracy," Mr Goh said.

His intervention comes as policy-makers in the city-state are attempting to respond to the structural challenges thrown up by rapid globalisation and the emergence of China as an economic power.

Last week, in a keynote speech to mark the 36th anniversary of independence, Mr Goh called for the creation of a "New Singapore" in which citizens did more for themselves.

The PAP has been paying special attention to securing the votes of the younger generation as it approaches the next general election, which must be held by next August.

Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said recently that the younger population "have not experienced the past, so you have to be more active" to win their backing.

In his speech, Mr Goh contrasted the drive and ambition common to workers and students across China, who were eager to better themselves, with the sometimes complacent attitude of young Singaporeans.

He said Singapore should send more of its young people to placements on the mainland so they would "understand more intimately the fierce competition we are facing from China".

"We should rediscover some of the self-reliant spirit of earlier generations of Singaporeans," he said.

"When our immigrant forefathers came here, they did not receive nor expect help from the government of the day. They built their homes and their fortunes from scratch, without any government help. In times of hardship, they counted on their own wits and resources."

After decades of consistently strong economic growth, Singapore has one of the highest standards of living in the region. It has some of the most advanced housing, educational, and transportation facilities in Asia.