Population in Brief Guide 2023
The Population in Brief is an annual report offering insights into Singapore's population trends. It aims to support a sustainable population, fostering a united society, a thriving economy with ample opportunities, and a high-quality living environment for all residents, with a focus on Singaporean well-being.
Key population trends
In 2022, citizen marriages in Singapore reached a record high of 24,767, marking a second consecutive annual increase after a decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite recent growth, the average annual number of citizen marriages in the last five years (22,700) remains lower than the preceding five years (23,600).
In 2022, there were 30,429 citizen births in Singapore, a 4.0% decrease from the previous year. The average annual number of births in the past five years (31,800) was also lower than the preceding five years (32,700). Additionally, the resident total fertility rate (TFR) hit a historic low of 1.04 in 2022.
As of June 2023, Singapore's total population is 5.92 million, showing a 5.0% increase from June 2022. Despite declines in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the average growth rate over the past five years is comparable to the preceding five-year period.
The citizen population rose by 1.6% to 3.61 million, and the Permanent Resident (PR) population increased by 3.7% to 0.54 million in June 2023. The easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions led to the return of citizens and PRs from overseas, contributing significantly to the population growth. The citizen population also continued to age, with 19.1% aged 65 and above in June 2023, compared to 11.7% in June 2013.
The non-resident population increased by 13.1% from 1.56 million in June 2022 to 1.77 million in June 2023. The increase was seen across all pass types, and the largest increase came from Work Permit Holders in the Construction, Marine Shipyard, and Process (CMP) sectors, as contractors hired more workers to catch up on projects that were delayed by COVID-19.
5 Factors that might affect Singapore's Immigration Policies
1. Rapidly aging society
The median age of citizens has reached 43 years old, marking the fastest increase in the past decade
2. Old age
support ratio
The ratio of 3.2 marks the lowest point in the last decade, indicating a greater need for resources (e.g., higher tax rates) to support the aging population
3. Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
In 2022, there was a historically low Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.04, with the lowest recorded TFR for the Chinese population at 0.87 and for the Indian population at 1.01.
4. Total birth numbers
2022 saw the lowest birth rate in the last decade, which has been on a downwards trend
5. Population percentage of singles trending upwards
Transnational marriage and the necessity to expand the pool of eligible 'new singles'
5 Unique Findings in 2024
1. 2022 saw the highest approval of PRs and Citizens in the last 12 years
Approvals were granted to 34,493 Permanent Residents (PRs) and 23,082 Citizens
2. PRs and Citizens approved for aged 40 and above saw the highest increase
The approval rate for PRs aged 40+ increased by 27.1% in 2022 compared to the previous year, and for citizens aged 40+, it increased by 26.2% compared to the previous year.
3. . Preference for experienced and skilled seen in PRs and Citizenships approvals
Approvals for PRs and Citizenship aged 31+ increased by 15.6% and 17.9% respectively, while other categories experienced a decrease in approvals.
4. Overwhelming majority of the approvals originate from Asian countries
In 2022, 92% of the approvals for Permanent Residency and 94.1% for Citizenship were from countries in Asia
5. More highly educated citizens remain single
The rising level of education in the general population is associated with a growing trend of individuals choosing to remain single. This unintended consequence has resulted in lower Total Fertility Rates (TFR), contributing to a decline in the overall population.