6.5 million is a parameter, not a target

Dexterridlon SG

WE THANK Mr Ethan Lee for his letter on Monday ('Population size: Is the current five million a mere pause before letting in more foreigners?'). He is correct that the figure of 6.5 million is a planning parameter used as part of long-term urban planning. It is not a population target.

The Government does not seek to achieve any particular population size. Our goal is to maintain a sustainable population profile that supports our economic, social and security objectives. This means ensuring enough manpower to support economic growth, a good mix of young and old, so as to keep our socio-economic burden manageable, a stable ethnic ratio and a strong citizen core.

Our strategies to achieve this are to raise local fertility rates and augment our local population through sustainable immigration. More foreigners may also enter Singapore temporarily to work, especially during times of strong economic growth when more jobs are created than can be filled by our local workforce.

Regardless of whether they are transient workers or potential immigrants, the Government will manage the inflow of foreigners, taking into account the character of our society and ensuring that it will not be compromised.

Sim Ann (Ms)
Director, National Population Secretariat

-- ST Forum

BanguIzai SG

ok informative

troublemaker2005 SG

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through the years we' ll always stay one in every ways

together we make a difference one voice one destiny

we remain undivided our hearts in harmony

together we make a difference our firnds our family

we will share a special dream together we feel the SINGAPORE HEARTBEAT