Singapore launches matchmaking service for government workers

Singapore has started a new dating pilot called FirstDate for people employed in government roles who are 21 to 35 years old.

To join, participants log in with the country's digital identity platform and fill in a questionnaire covering interests, daily habits and personal values.

The service says matches are generated with the Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage algorithm. Its co-creator Lloyd Shapley received the 2012 memorial economics Nobel for the work, a method since applied to school placements, medical training matches and dating applications.

This is not the city-state's first attempt at encouraging relationships. An earlier Social Development Unit focused on university graduates, drew complaints of elitism, and was later ended after officials argued non-graduates had less trouble finding partners. It remains unclear whether FirstDate will expand beyond public staff, and GovTech, the agency running the trial, has been asked for comment.