(Sept 28): Singapore’s population size barely grew, rising 0.1% in the 12 months through June as the number of non-residents declined, the first drop since at least 2010.

Key Points

  • The number of non-residents fell 1.6% from a year ago, according to the Population Trends report released by the government on Wednesday
  • The decline was due to a slowdown in construction and marine engineering sectors, according to a National Population and Talent Division report in September
  • Citizen population grew 0.9%
  • Residents aged 65 years and above made up 13% of the resident population in 2017, compared to 12.4% in 2016
  • Crude birth and fertility rates declined in 2016. There is no available data for 2017

For years, Singapore has relied on foreign workers in many segments of its economy, luring people with low taxes and world-class infrastructure. The slowdown in the population growth is happening at a time when the local population is aging rapidly, posing a challenge to its economy.