Implications of Demographic Trends in Singapore

Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. • According to the 2010 Census, Singapore had a population of 5.08 million, with 3.77 million residents and 1.31 million nonresidents. Based these figures, as well as fertility rates remaining constant at 1.31 and no migration after 2010, the resident population will grow from 3.77 million to 3.84 million in 2020, after which it will decline to 3.13 million in 2050.

2. • The resident labour force will expand from some 1.98 million in 2010 to a high of 2.00 million in 2015. Thereafter, it will shrink to a low of 1.45 million in 2050. This will exacerbate the shortage of local labour, necessitating further reliance on foreigners to work in industries already suffering from chronic labour shortages.

3. • One consequence of an ageing population is the need and availability of social support for the elderly. A related issue is the need to adjust and expand the healthcare system to meet the increasing needs of the elderly. A greater share of public resources, such as medical personnel, physical facilities, and finance, will be channelled towards this end.

4. • The admission of newcomers from varied geographical, ethnic and religious backgrounds has posed some problems in constructing a united and harmonious society. In order to confront this issue, the government has established the National Integration Committee in 2009 to promote the greater integration of new immigrants.

5. • Nevertheless, the possible impact of the inflow of foreigners on the ethnic composition of the resident population is a sensitive issue. The recent influx of Indians, mainly professional northern Indians, has tipped the balance somewhat at the expense of the Chinese proportion, and more so the Malay proportion.

6. • While the dominant Chinese community does not seem concerned publicly, the Malays have spoken out about their falling proportion. In his National Day Rally held in November 2010, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reassured the Malay community that the existing mix of the population will be maintained.

INTRODUCTION

The total population of Singapore enumerated in the Census of Population conducted in June 2010 amounted to 5.08 million, with 3.77 million residents and 1.31 million non-residents.