In spite of lacking natural resources, this densely populated island state rose to the status of first world due to the sheer hard work, adaptability and resilience of its population. Originally inhabited by Malay fishermen, the arrival of the British on Singapore's shores brought immigrants from China, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and other parts of the world. Malay is one of the 4 official languages of Singapore and 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.

Before independence, two factors determined Singapore's population - interaction 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 labors or skills were considered beneficial to the economy. According to Government statistics, the current population of Singapore is 4.35 million (June 2005) including expatriates and the rate of employment is 2.40 million (June 2006). 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 increases 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.