Singapore's total population grew to 4.84m in 2008, up
5.5% over previous year
SINGAPORE : Singapore continues to face the long-term
challenge of low fertility and an ageing population, according to
its latest population report.
But the record number of foreign residents in the country has
helped grow the total population to 4.84 million in 2008 - an
increase of 5.5 per cent over the previous year.
Foreigners now make up about 25 per cent of the total
population.
The National Population Secretariat, which released the figures on
Wednesday, said the country needs to press on with efforts to build
a sustainable population, even as the economic downturn drags
on.
Accountant Madam Elham Hassan Mahmoud Birkia came to Singapore from
Sudan in 1990. Little did she expect to stay on in this country for
19 years and even call it home.
Madam Elham and her family members have been Singapore citizens for
some three years now. And she said her two daughters, aged 13 and
12, born in Singapore and studying in neighbourhood schools are as
Singaporean as you can get.
"They take Singapore as their home. Before, they are Sudanese, but
when people ask them, they say I am from Singapore not from Sudan,"
said Madam Elham.
Madam Elham and her family make up the nearly 100,000 new PRs and
citizens last year. The number is up about 20% compared to
2007.
As Singapore becomes home to more foreigners, efforts are underway
to better help them integrate into society.
For example, the newly-established National Integration Council
will drive efforts on social integration across the private, people
and public sectors. It will also encourage more ground-up
initiatives to integrate Singaporeans, both existing and new.
And Madam Elham is an example of how community outreach has helped
her adapt to multi-racial Singapore.
She has been volunteering with the Tampines North Zone 4 Residents'
Committee since 2005 and was appointed as the RC Treasurer in 2007.
She has also been involved in activities such as organising block
parties and helping other new citizens by conducting home visits
and counselling them when needed.
Addressing concerns from some Singaporeans that foreigners may take
away precious jobs from locals during this time of economic
downturn, the National Population Secretariat reiterated the need
for foreign talents to supplement the Singapore workforce.
The Manpower Ministry's Divisional Director for Manpower Planning
and Policy, Jeffrey Wong said the government is monitoring its
foreign manpower policies closely and will make adjustments when
needed.
For example, it took steps to adjust the criteria for foreign
worker S-Passes this month. This is to ensure Singapore brings in
more higher quality foreign workers.
Currently, more than 6 in 10 new citizens and nearly 8 in 10 PRs
have post-secondary education.
On the marriage and parenthood front, the numbers show slightly
more couples tying the knot last year - up 2.6 per cent to
24,596.
But the number of singles continues to grow and couples are
marrying later.
Over the past decade, the median age for first marriages went up
from 28 to 29 years for men and 25 to 27 years for women.
The proportion of singles among the 30 to 34 age group surged by
some 7 percentage points for both men and women.
Singaporeans are still not having enough babies, and the country's
low fertility rate remains a problem.
The total fertility rate is 1.28, which is way below the
replacement level of 2.1 for over 30 years now.
And given the country's aging population, experts said Singapore
needs to press on with efforts to grow its population.
The National Population Secretariat noted these challenges faced
during an economic crisis - families deferring their decision to
have kids, lesser inflow of immigrants and Singaporeans abroad
choosing to come home or leave to find greener pastures.
It is important, even in times of economic downturn, to continue to
encourage marriage and parenthood, encourage naturalisation and
integration of new immigrants into the country as well as continue
to engage our larger Singaporean families out there who are
overseas Singaporeans," said Quah Ley Hoon, director of the
National Population Secretariat.
As of June last year, there are more than 180,000 Singaporeans
living abroad.
- CNA /ls