Singapore

Singapore

Introduction

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

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: 192 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: 0.19cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%)
per capita:44cu m/yr (1975)

Natural hazards

NA

Environment – current issues

industrial pollution

limited natural freshwater 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 and Society

Nationality

noun: Singaporean(s)
adjective:Singapore

Ethnic groups

Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)

Languages

Mandarin (official) 35%, English (official) 23%, Malay (official) 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (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)

Population

4,740,737 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.8% (male 338,419/female 314,704)
15-64 years:77% (male 1,774,444/female 1,874,985)
65 years and over:9.2% (male 196,101/female 242,084) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 40.1 years
male:39.6 years
female:40.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.817% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

Birth rate

8.5 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216

Death rate

4.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Net migration rate

4.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.077 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.81 male(s)/female
total population:0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

9 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 148

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.32 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 221 male:2.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female:2.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.14 years
country comparison to the world: 7 male:79.53 years
female:84.96 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.11 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220

Health expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 168

Physicians density

1.833 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 72

Hospital bed density

3.14 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 69

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

3,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

6.9% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 61

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.3% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 103

Education expenditures

3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 131

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:92.5%
male:96.6%
female:88.6% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

NA

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 12.9%
country comparison to the world: 87 male:9.9%
female:16.6% (2009)

Government

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

English common law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

21 years of age

universal and compulsory

Executive branch

chief of state: President Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 September 2011)
head of government:Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004)

Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Hean (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (since 21 May 2011)

Senior Minister HENG Chee How (since 21 May 2011)
cabinet:appointed by president, responsible to parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for six-year term

election last held on 27 August 2011 (next election to be held by August 2017)

following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president

deputy prime ministers appointed by president
election results:Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president from a field of four candidates with 35.2% of the votes cast

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (87 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 7 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2016)
election results:percent of vote by party – PAP 60.1%, WP 12.8%, NSP 12.1%, others 15%

seats by party – PAP 81, WP 6

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

National Solidarity Party or NSP [GOH Meng Seng]

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, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FATF, 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, WCO, 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 David I. ADELMAN
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

red denotes brotherhood and equality

white signifies purity and virtue

the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy

the five stars represent the nation’s ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality

National symbol(s)

lion

National anthem

name: “Majulah Singapura” (Onward Singapore)
lyrics/music:ZUBIR Said
note:adopted 1965

the anthem, which was first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, is sung only in Malay

Economy

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 financial services sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7.1% between 2004 and 2007. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but rebounded nearly 14.7% in 2010, on the strength of renewed exports. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that focuses on raising productivity, which has sunk to 1% growth per year in the last decade. Singapore 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)

$291.9 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41 $255.1 billion (2009 est.)
$257 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$222.7 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

14.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3 -0.8% (2009 est.)
1.5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$62,100 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5 $54,800 (2009 est.)
$55,800 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 0%
industry:28.3%
services:71.7% (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.156 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 0.1%
industry:30.2%
services:69.7% (2010)

Unemployment rate

2.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18 3% (2009 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

47.8 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 28 48.1 (2008)

Investment (gross fixed)

25% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62

Budget

revenues: $32.7 billion
expenditures:$32.31 billion
note:expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40

Public debt

105.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9 109.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
note:for Singapore, public debt consists largely of Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which administers Singapore’s defined contribution pension fund

special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and are non-tradeable

the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96 0.6% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142 0.27% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.38% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158 5.38% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$87.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34 $66.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$313.1 billion (30 November 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29 $264.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$202.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39 $172.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$620.5 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 20 $474.3 billion (31 December 2009)
$268.6 billion (31 December 2008)

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

29.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Electricity – production

39.21 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity – consumption

37.11 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

10,910 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84

Oil – consumption

1.08 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Oil – exports

1.374 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Oil – imports

2.052 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Natural gas – consumption

9.66 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178

Natural gas – imports

9.66 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Current account balance

$46.27 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9 $32.63 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$358.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14 $273.4 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels

Exports – partners

Malaysia 11.9%, Hong Kong 11.7%, China 10.4%, Indonesia 9.4%, US 6.5%, Japan 4.7%, South Korea 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$310.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15 $243.2 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports – partners

Malaysia 11.7%, US 11.5%, China 10.8%, Japan 7.9%, South Korea 5.8%, Indonesia 5.4% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$225.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11 $187.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$21.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74 $20.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$298.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17 $260.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$173.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21 $167.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar -
1.3702 (2010)
1.4545 (2009)
1.415 (2008)
1.507 (2007)
1.5889 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

8 (2010)
country comparison to the world:162

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 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 111 km (2010)

Roadways

total: 3,356 km
country comparison to the world: 163 paved:3,356 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 1,422
country comparison to the world: 6 by type:bulk carrier 183, cargo 88, carrier 6, chemical tanker 233, container 321, liquefied gas 117, petroleum tanker 404, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 52
foreign-owned:850 (Australia 11, Bangladesh 2, Bermuda 21, Chile 7, China 26, Cyprus 3, Denmark 125, France 3, Germany 30, Greece 19, Hong Kong 38, India 19, Indonesia 53, Italy 3, Japan 146, Malaysia 27, Netherlands 1, Norway 132, Slovenia 1, South Africa 3, South Korea 9, Sweden 9, Switzerland 4, Taiwan 79, Thailand 30, UAE 10, UK 6, US 33)
note:this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag

these ships operate under the laws of the flag state
registered in other countries:327 (Australia 2, Bahamas 7, Bangladesh 3, Belize 7, Cambodia 4, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, France 3, Gibraltar 1, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 13, Indonesia 42, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 11, Liberia 27, Malaysia 19, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 28, Mongolia 1, North Korea 2, Panama 79, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Sierra Leone 5, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 25, US 17, unknown 6) (2010)

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

Military branches

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2010)

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: 1,255,902 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,018,839
females age 16-49:1,087,134 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 27,098
female:25,368 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17

Transnational Issues

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 2008, ICJ awards sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but does not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of 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