There are people who own flats, cars, wives and children living on a 3k salary. Of course, I guess they don't take annual holidays in Europe or eat at restaurants every weekend. But like what Howcome says, it is sufficient for them; it's a matter of managing one's expectations.

For many of my friends with a polytechnic diploma (I was a poly grad), they are willing to slog the additional hours (shift work) for a monthly remuneration of 3k to 5k and believe it to be sufficient. For the friends I know in university, they find it to be barely adequate for 'survival'; having to 'give up' luxuries like insurance, investments, condominiums and cars. Different people have different needs and wants and the education system have nurtured this expectation in us, subjected to adaptations to our workplace environments.