Singaporeans have reacted to a survey depicting them as the world's most emotionless people - saying their competitive culture leaves no room for feelings.

In a 3 year study conducted in more than 150 countries - those living in Singapore were found to be the least likely to report experiencing emotions on a daily basis.

US-based pollster Gallup said in a report on a three-year study conducted in more than 150 countries.

Gallup said it surveyed about 1,000 respondents in each country annually between 2009 and 2011. They were asked if they felt five positive and five negative emotions the previous day.

The negative feelings were anger, stress, sadness, physical pain, and worry, while the positive emotions were feeling well-rested, being treated with respect, enjoyment, smiling and laughing a lot, and learning or doing something interesting.

Only 36% of Singaporeans said they felt any of the emotions. 

Singapore is one of the world's wealthiest and most stable societies. They work an average  of 46.6 hours a week, the longest hours in the world, and only 2% of the country’s workforce describe themselves as engaged by their jobs.

People have hit back at the results with comments on social media explaining the reasons why:

"It's so stressful to be living in Singapore. Our mind is all about $$$ - how to survive, how to raise family, tax, etc. Nothing is free here."

The Philippines came out as the most emotional society in the world, with Latin American countries dominating the top of the list.

Singapore beat the traditionally po-faced nations of Georgia, Lithuania and Russia to the top of the list.