East & Southeast Asia :: Singapore page last updated on September 11, 2009
Introduction ::Singapore Background: Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Geography ::Singapore Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 697 sq km country comparison to the world: 199 land: 687 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve Elevation extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land: 1.47% permanent crops: 1.47% other: 97.06% (2005) Irrigated land: NA Total renewable water resources: 0.6 cu km (1975) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%) per capita: 44 cu m/yr (1975) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes People ::Singapore Population: 4,657,542 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 348,382/female 324,050) 15-64 years: 76.7% (male 1,737,972/female 1,833,415) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 184,393/female 229,330) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 39 years male: 38.5 years female: 39.4 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.998% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 Birth rate: 8.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 Death rate: 4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Net migration rate: 5.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 224 male: 2.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.98 years country comparison to the world: 4 male: 79.37 years female: 84.78 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.09 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore Ethnic groups: Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census) Religions: Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census) Languages: Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 96.6% female: 88.6% (2000 census) Education expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 122 Government ::Singapore Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore local long form: Republic of Singapore local short form: Singapore Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Singapore geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none Independence:
9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965) Constitution: 3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution) Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President S R NATHAN (since 1 September 1999) note: uses S R NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Huan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005) cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president election results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN appointed president in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified three other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as "nonconstituency" members elections: last held on 6 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 66.6%, WP 16.3%, SDA 13%, SDP 4.1%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals Political parties and leaders: People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Reform Party [NG Teck Siong]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM Swee Lian] note: SDA includes Singapore Justice Party or SJP, Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS, Singapore People's Party or SPP
Political pressure groups and leaders: none International organization participation: ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 consulate(s) general: San Francisco consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniel L. SHIELDS III embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle Economy ::Singapore Economy - overview: Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing service sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7% between 2004 and 2007, but dropped to 1.1% in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis. The economy contracted in the last three quarters of 2008. Prime Minister LEE and other senior officials have dampened expectations for a quick rebound in 2009. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to global demand cycles especially for information technology products. It has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. GDP (purchasing power parity): $237.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $234.8 billion (2007 est.) $217.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate):
$181.9 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 7.8% (2007 est.) 8.4% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $51,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $51,600 (2007 est.) $48,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0% industry: 27.8% services: 72.2% (2008 est.) Labor force: 2.94 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 0%, industry 22.6%, services 77.4% (2007) Unemployment rate: 2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 2.1% (2007 est.) Population below poverty line: NA% Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 23.2% (2008) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 48.1 (2008) country comparison to the world: 30 Investment (gross fixed): 28.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 Budget: revenues: $29.25 billion expenditures: $26.48 billion (2008 est.) Public debt:
99.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 102.5% of GDP (2004 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 2.1% (2007 est.) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 5.38% (31 December 2008) Stock of money: $52.57 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 30 $44.4 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $179 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 $162.2 billion (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $143.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 $129.2 billion (31 December 2007) Market value of publicly traded shares: $268.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $353.5 billion (31 December 2007) $276.3 billion (31 December 2006) Agriculture - products: orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish Industries: electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade Industrial production growth rate: -0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 Electricity - production: 41.14 billion kWh (2007) country comparison to the world: 54 Electricity - consumption: 37.42 billion kWh (2007) country comparison to the world: 55 Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2007 est.) Oil - production: 8,550 bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 86 Oil - consumption: 916,000 bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 23 Oil - exports: 1.27 million bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 17 Oil - imports: 2.44 million bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 8 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 Natural gas - consumption: 6.6 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 Natural gas - imports: 6.6 billion cu m country comparison to the world: 26 note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2008 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Current account balance: $25.78 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $39.11 billion (2007 est.) Exports: $342.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $303.1 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels Exports - partners: Malaysia 12.1%, Indonesia 10.5%, Hong Kong 10.3%, China 9.2%, US 7.1%, Japan 4.9%, Australia 4.1% (2008) Imports: $219.5 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $254 billion (2007 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods Imports - partners: Malaysia 11.9%, US 11.8%, China 10.5%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.6%, Indonesia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.6% (2008) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $174.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $163 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Debt - external: $25.52 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $25.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $232.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $173.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $169.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.) Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.415 (2008 est.), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004) Communications ::Singapore Telephones - main lines in use: 1.859 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 59 Telephones - mobile cellular: 5.619 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 74 Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent service domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 165 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations -4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 19, shortwave 1 (2008) Television broadcast stations: 1 (broadcasting on 8 channels); additional reception of numerous UHF and VHF signals originating in Malaysia and Indonesia (2008) Internet country code: .sg Internet hosts: 837,559 (2008) country comparison to the world: 40 Internet users: 3.105 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 55 Transportation ::Singapore Airports: 8 (2008) country comparison to the world: 167 Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2008) Pipelines: gas 106 km (2008) Roadways: total: 3,297 km country comparison to the world: 165 paved: 3,297 km (includes 150 km of expressways) (2007) Merchant marine: total: 1,292 country comparison to the world: 5 by type: bulk carrier 167, cargo 87, carrier 5, chemical tanker 209, container 273, liquefied gas 96, petroleum tanker 386, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 53 foreign-owned: 774 (Australia 12, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 8, Chile 6, China 14, Cyprus 1, Denmark 87, France 1, Germany 24, Greece 15, Hong Kong 47, India 13, Indonesia 66, Italy
5, Japan 131, South Korea 3, Malaysia 27, Norway 143, Slovenia 1, Sweden 20, Switzerland 2, Taiwan 72, Thailand 23, UAE 12, UK 17, US 22) registered in other countries: 331 (Australia 1, Bahamas 17, Belize 2, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 10, Comoros 1, Cyprus 3, Dominica 7, France 2, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 18, Indonesia 27, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 4, Liberia 32, Malaysia 16, Marshall Islands 18, Mongolia 9, Norway 1, Panama 100, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Thailand 2, Tuvalu 23, US 12, unknown 2) (2008) Ports and terminals: Singapore Transportation - note: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift Military ::Singapore Military branches: Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 1,277,862 (2008 est.) Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 1,033,961 females age 16-49: 1,104,952 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 27,715 female: 26,290 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 Transnational Issues ::Singapore Disputes - international: disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings as a consequence of the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait Illicit drugs:
drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering