Rewarding Good Acts, Punishing Bad Ones: The Social Credit System in Asia

Published March 8, 2025

Imagine this: What if doing good things for yourself and society meant the government helped cover your living costs? On the flip side, if your actions were harmful, you’d start losing that support. Suddenly, your grocery bill might double, your access to housing assistance could disappear, and getting a bank loan? Forget it.

Sounds wild, right? Well, this isn’t just a thought experiment — it’s a real system being tested in China.

How Does It Work?

China’s social credit system, currently being trialed in Nanjing, starts everyone off with 1,000 points. From there, your actions determine if your score rises or falls.

Good Deeds That Earn Points:

Going to school
Donating blood
Supporting charities
Buying necessities for your children or elders

With a higher score, you’ll enjoy perks like:

Priority for school admissions and job opportunities
Easier access to loans and credit
Free gym access
Discounts on public transport
Shorter hospital wait times
Fast-tracked promotions at work
Priority for public housing
Tax breaks

Bad Deeds That Lower Points:

Participating in cult activities
Breaking traffic laws (including jaywalking and drunk driving)
Criticizing the government

If your score gets too low (with 600 being the bottom), things get tough:

You may be denied permits, licenses, or social services
Booking flights or high-speed trains could become impossible
Access to credit will be restricted
Government jobs will be out of reach
Your children may be barred from private schools
You may even face public shaming, with your name, photo, and ID number displayed on public screens

How Are They Tracking This?

China’s extensive surveillance network plays a big role. Public transportation cards, which double as debit cards, track your movements and spending.

Additionally, banking transactions, internet search history, e-commerce activity, and even facial recognition systems contribute to your score.

Singapore’s Similar System

While not as intense, Singapore has its own version of this system. Married college graduates are encouraged to have more children, receiving government assistance and better housing perks as a reward. Meanwhile, individuals with criminal records often face reduced government support.

The Debate: Fair or Too Far?

Critics, particularly in countries where privacy is valued, argue that such systems give governments too much control. They believe essentials like food, housing, healthcare, and education should be rights, not rewards. Supporters argue that in many parts of Asia, privileges are seen as something to be earned. The system encourages social responsibility — but yes, there’s concern it could be abused by corrupt officials.

For now, Nanjing residents are living this reality — and those with higher social scores seem to be reaping the benefits. Whether this system expands or evolves remains to be seen.