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Singapore population growth slowest in 9
years
Published on Sep 26, 2013
2:00 PM
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Pedestrians crossing a road at Shenton Way on Aug 30 2013. Singapore's population grew at its slowest pace in nine years in
the 12 months up to June 2013, even as the total fertility rate inched up, according to figures released by the National
Population and Talent Division (NPTD) on Thursday. -- ST FILE PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
By Tham Yuen-c
Singapore's population grew at its slowest pace in nine years in the 12 months up to June 2013, even as the
total fertility rate inched up, according to figures released by the National Population and Talent Division
(NPTD) on Thursday.
The report on key population indicators also showed slower growth in the non-resident population as
employers hired fewer foreign workers in the non-construction sectors.
As of June, Singapore's population was 5.4 million, an increase of 1.6 per cent from a year ago. That is the
slowest growth measured since 2004, which registered a growth of 1.3 per cent.
The citizen population, which grew by 0.9 per cent, also grew older, with more than 11 per cent now aged
65 and above. The permanent resident population remained stable at 0.53 million.
More Singaporeans got married, and birth rates improved, with the resident total fertility rate inching up to
1.29 in 2012 from 1.2 in 2011.
More babies were born across all ethnic groups and the ethnic profile of the citizen population remained
stable, said the NPTD.
Fast-ageing Singapore, fewer to support
aged; Trend worries experts
Experts fear this will exert pressure on economy, society and governance
Published on Sep 27, 2013
7:59 AM
The old-age support ratio - which is the number of citizens in the working age band of 20 to 64 needed to support one older
citizen - is decreasing rapidly. It has fallen from 8.4 in 2000 to 5.5 today. -- ST FILE PHOTO
By Tessa Wong
Singaporeans are living longer and not having enough babies to replace themselves, meaning the swiftly
ageing population has fewer working citizens supporting the growing pool of elderly.
These worrying trends, which emerged from the latest population figures released yesterday, can exert
significant pressure on Singapore's economy, society and governance in future, said experts. They added
that those working may have to toil longer and pay more taxes, and the Government will need to invest
more in elder-friendly facilities.
These will be in demand by a growing number of Singaporeans, with those aged 65 and above forming
11.7 per cent of the citizen population this year, up from 7.8 per cent in 2002.
This year's Population in Brief report also showed that the old-age support ratio - which is the number of
citizens in the working age band of 20 to 64 needed to support one older citizen - is decreasing rapidly.
It has fallen from 8.4 in 2000 to 5.5 today. But a better picture emerges when permanent residents are
included, with the ratio at 6.4 this year, down from 8.7 in 2002.
According to World Bank data, Singapore has the highest proportion of older residents and the fastest
ageing population in South-east Asia.
It is greying much faster than other developed nations such as Australia, the United States and most
European countries, though the rate is on a par with Hong Kong's and slower than Japan's and South
Korea's.
Economists and demographers say this will mean greater demand for health care and eldercare services,
and elder-friendly infrastructure such as barrier-free accessibility features in transport and housing.
DBS economist Irvin Seah said that with the Government inevitably spending more, it will mean a
"heavier financial burden on the working population, which in turn may mean higher taxes".
But Ms Selena Ling of OCBC said that the state may continue with its redistributive tax model, where the
rich pay more through wealth and asset taxes.
"Singapore has been financially prudent, we can afford to draw down on our reserves as well," the
economist added.
An ageing population will also require a slight "reorientation" of the economy, she said. This would
involve a greater focus on developing medical services and attracting more workers to the sector, as well
as increasing productivity and the use of technology in jobs so that people can continue to work as they age.
Still, some population statistics gave cause for cheer. More Singaporeans are getting married, with 23,192
marriages involving at least one citizen last year, up from 22,712 the year before.
Singapore residents are also continuing to have more babies. After hitting an all-time low of 1.15 in 2010,
the total fertility rate (TFR) was 1.2 in 2011, and 1.29 in last year's Dragon Year - though it is still below
the replacement rate of 2.1.
This upward trend was seen across all three major races, with the biggest increase among the Chinese.
But Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Yap Mui Teng warned that the reversal in the TFR's
decline may be due to couples wanting to have a child in the auspicious Dragon Year.
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