The Straits Times reported today (June 9): "Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong pointed out at a dialogue hosted by the Singapore Press Club on Monday (June 8) that the Singapore government had proposed 6.9 million as the projected total population figure for 2030 in the 2013 Population White Paper, which sparked intense debate at the time. As of June 2025, Singapore’s population is approximately 6.11 million, including 1.91 million non-residents. The overall fertility rate among local residents last year stood at 0.87—far below the replacement level—and marked a historic low. Future population growth will also slow significantly. The government's current focus is on maintaining stability and avoiding population decline."
Commentary: In earlier years, Singapore aimed to reach a population of 6.9 million by 2030. Now, with the local fertility rate plunging to a record low of 0.87, natural population growth among locals is severely weak, and the gap between actual numbers and the target is increasingly evident. Population growth has slowed dramatically, forcing the government to revise its goals—to simply stabilize the population and prevent shrinkage. Underlying this shift are high living costs and workplace pressures that deter locals from having children. Currently, the population remains heavily supported by nearly two million foreign workers. While continued recruitment of foreign talent helps fill labor gaps, it simultaneously fuels public tensions over competition for local resources. Relying solely on foreign populations can only provide short-term relief but cannot address the long-term challenges of declining birth rates and an aging society. Moving forward, Singapore must intensify efforts to support childbirth while simultaneously advancing high-end industries and attracting top-tier talent, aiming to boost productivity and offset the developmental pressures brought on by adverse demographic trends. Overall, Malaysia, China, India, and Indonesia are the four primary sources of foreign population.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867508922873994/
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