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Population of Singapore

Despite lacking natural resources, the densely populated island state of Singapore rose to the status of “first-world” thanks to the sheer hard work, adaptability and resilience of its population. Originally inhabited by Malay fishermen, Singapore's shores brought immigrants from China, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and other parts of the world post-British arrival.

Malay is one of the four official languages of Singapore.The country's national anthem is sung in Malay. However, English is the language of business and administration and is widely spoken and understood. Most Singaporeans are bilingual and speak both their mother tongue as well as English fluently.

Singapore Population Statistics
Year	2007	2008
Total Population ('000)	4588.6	4839.4
Singapore Residents ('000)	3583.1	3642.7
Birth Rate (Per 1000 Population)	10.3	10.3
Death Rate (Per 1000 Population)	4.5	4.4
Infant Mortality Rate (Per 1000 Live Births)	2.1	2.1
Life Expectancy at Birth	81	N.A.

(Source : www.singstat.gov.sg)


Singapore Population Age Pyramid (Source : www.singstat.gov.sg)	Singapore Resident Population (Source : www.singstat.gov.sg)

Before independence, two factors determined Singapore's population: integrative effect of migration and natural increase. But after 1965, the government of Singapore under Prime Minister Lee Yuan Kew imposed strict controls on immigration, granting only temporary residence permits to workers whose labor or skills were considered beneficial to the economy.

According to government statistics for the year 2008, the population of Singapore is 4.8 million including expatriates and the rate of employment is 2.6 percent. The dominant ethnic groups are the Chinese (76.7%), Malays (14%) and Indians (7.9%). Others (Eurasians, Arabs, Jews) comprise 1.4% of the population. Literacy rate of Singapore stands at 95%.

Since independence, the Singapore government has implemented effective population control policies through publicity, exhortation, material incentives and disincentives. The Family Planning and Population Board set up in 1966 played a major role in population control as it provided clinical services and public education on family planning. Throughout the 1970s, Singapore experienced low-birth rates and this, in turn, resulted in increase of income, education, women's participation in paid employment and control of diseases. By the 80s, the government became concerned about the low rate of population growth and revamped its family planning programme by offering new package of incentives.