Singapore’s total population has exceeded 6 million for the first time, reaching 6.04 million as of June 2024. This marks a 2 per cent increase from 2023, primarily driven by a significant rise in the non-resident population. The figures were published on 24 September in the annual Population in Brief report by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) of the Prime Minister’s Office and its partner agencies.
Background
The report highlights that the non-resident population contributed to more than half of the population increase from 2023. This group includes the foreign workforce, migrant domestic workers, dependants, and international students. The Singapore citizen and permanent resident populations also saw modest increases of 0.7 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively. The government has reiterated that Singapore’s total population is likely to remain “significantly” below 6.9 million by 2030, a figure previously mentioned in a 2013 Population White Paper for planning purposes.
Population breakdown
As of June 2024, Singapore had 4.18 million residents and about 1.86 million non-residents. The non-resident population saw a 5 per cent increase from about 1.77 million in 2023. Work permit holders made up the largest portion of this increase, accounting for 44 per cent of the non-resident population, followed by migrant domestic workers at 15 per cent. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Indranee Rajah, stated that the government plans based on various demographic trends, including birth rates, life expectancies, and migration, rather than a single population planning parameter.
Non-resident population contribute economically
The report emphasised that the non-resident population is crucial for meeting Singapore’s economic and social needs. The foreign workforce complements the local workforce and allows companies to access a broader range of skills from the global labour pool. The annualised population growth rate over the last five years (2019 to 2024) was slightly higher than in the preceding five-year period (2014 to 2019), mainly due to post-pandemic growth in the number of work permit holders. These workers are primarily employed in the construction, marine shipyard, and process (CMP) sectors, which are catching up on projects delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Future implications
NPTD noted that Singapore residents continue to fill higher-paying jobs, with resident employment growing in sectors such as financial and insurance services, information and communications, and professional services. The planning parameter of 6.9 million remains relevant for the 2030s, based on various scenarios developed to stress-test assumptions and allow for a range of possible outcomes. This approach ensures that Singapore can adapt to changing demographic trends and maintain its economic stability.
