Singapore population escalates with influx of foreign workers

Official statistics released Sep 25 confirmed that Singapore’s population is now 5.7 million, a 1.2% increase, spiked by the influx of foreign workers.

The permanent resident (PR) population remained relatively stable at 530,000, while non-residents – which include dependents, international students and people working in the country – rose by 2% to 1.68 million.

The bump in non-residents was mainly due to an increase in work permit holders, driven by growth in the services sector and a turnaround in the construction industry.

Foreign employment – excluding domestic workers – grew by around 22,000 people between June 2018 and June 2019. 

The majority (61.6%) came from Southeast Asian countries, with 32.4% coming from other Asian countries and 6% from countries outside Asia.

About 1,576, or 7% of new citizenship grants were given to children born overseas to Singaporean parents, roughly the same number as the previous year.

Singapore grants between 15,000 and 25,000 new citizenships a year “to individuals who are committed to making Singapore their home”, said the report, which is published by the Prime Minister’s Office Strategy Group.

According to that report, “Immigration helps to moderate the impact of ageing and low birth rates in our citizen population, and keeps it from shrinking over the longer term.”

At present, the citizen population continues to age. Some 16% of Singaporeans are aged 65 and above, compared to 15.2% last year.

So, whatever happened to the tightening of the foreign manpower policy? -/TISG