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East & Southeast Asia :: Singapore

- ## Introduction :: SINGAPORE

- Background:
  Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted 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
  land: 687 sq km
  water: 10 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 192
  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:
  lowlying, gently undulating central plateau
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
  highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
  Natural resources:
  fish, deepwater ports
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 1%
  arable land 0.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 3.3%
  other: 95.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Total renewable water resources:
  0.6 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.19 cu km/yr (47%/53%/0%)
  per capita: 81.97 cu m/yr (2005)
  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 :: SINGAPORE

- Nationality:
  noun: Singaporean(s)
  adjective: Singapore
  Ethnic groups:
  Chinese 74.2%, Malay 13.3%, Indian 9.2%, other 3.3% (2013 est.)
  Languages:
  Mandarin (official) 36.3%, English (official) 29.8%, Malay (official) 11.9%, Hokkien 8.1%, Tamil (official) 4.4%, Cantonese 4.1%, Teochew 3.2%, other Indian languages 1.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.1%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)
  Religions:
  Buddhist 33.9%, Muslim 14.3%, Taoist 11.3%, Catholic 7.1%, Hindu 5.2%, other Christian 11%, other 0.7%, none 16.4% (2010 est.)
  Population:
  5,674,472 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 13.14% (male 381,404/female 364,424)
  15-24 years: 17.43% (male 486,979/female 502,159)
  25-54 years: 50.39% (male 1,393,686/female 1,465,601)
  55-64 years: 10.16% (male 288,489/female 287,992)
  65 years and over: 8.88% (male 229,117/female 274,621) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 37.4%
  youth dependency ratio: 21.4%
  elderly dependency ratio: 16.1%
  potential support ratio: 6.2% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 34 years
  male: 33.9 years
  female: 34.1 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.89% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 57
  Birth rate:
  8.27 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Death rate:
  3.43 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Net migration rate:
  14.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 100% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 2.02% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  SINGAPORE (capital) 5.619 million (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 2.48 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 2.65 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 2.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 221
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 84.68 years
  male: 82.06 years
  female: 87.5 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 3
  Total fertility rate:
  0.81 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 224
  Health expenditures:
  4.6% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Physicians density:
  1.95 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
  Hospital bed density:
  2 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  6.8% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 142
  Education expenditures:
  2.9% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 96.8%
  male: 98.6%
  female: 95% (2015 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 6.7% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 121

- ## 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:
  several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965; amended several times, last in 2010 (2013)
  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 Ministers TEO Chee Hean (since 1 April 2009) and Tharman SHANMUGARATNAM (since 21 May 2011)
  cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament
  elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held on 27 August 2011 (next to be held by August 2017); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
  election results: Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president; percent of vote - Tony TAN Keng Yam (independent) 35.2% , TAN Cheng Bock (independent) 34.9%, TAN Jee Say (independent) 25% , TAN Kin Lian (PP) 4.9%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Parliament (99 seats; 75 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by majority party bloc vote, 12 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 9 nominated by the president, and 3 appointed from a "national compensatory" list to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms)
  elections: last held on 11 September 2015 (next to be held in 2020); note - Parliament was dissolved on 25 August 2015 amid public concerns over immigration and the rising cost of living, resulting in an early election
  election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 69.9%, WP 12.5%, other 17.6%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 6
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the president or chief justice and 16 justices and organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court)
  judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; justices appointed for life
  subordinate courts: district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals
  Political parties and leaders:
  National Solidarity Party or NSP [LIM Tean, acting secretary general]
  People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]
  Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]
  Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Khiang]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  none
  International organization participation:
  ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI (since 24 July 2012)
  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 Kirk W. WAGAR (since 25 September 2013)
  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, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)
  lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said
  note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay

- ## 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. Unemployment is very low. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly of consumer electronics, information technology products, medical and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on its vibrant transportation, business, and financial services sectors. The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since 2010 on the strength of renewed exports. Growth in 2014 was slower at 2.9%, largely a result of soft demand for exports amid a sluggish global economy and weak growth in Singapore’s manufacturing sector. The government is attempting to restructure Singapore’s economy by weaning its dependence on foreign labor, addressing weak productivity, and increasing Singaporean wages. Singapore has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and high-tech hub. Singapore is a member of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations with the nine other ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, and in 2015, Singapore will form, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN Economic Community.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $445.2 billion (2014 est.)
  $432.6 billion (2013 est.)
  $414.4 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 40
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $308.1 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.9% (2014 est.)
  4.4% (2013 est.)
  3.4% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $82,800 (2014 est.)
  $80,400 (2013 est.)
  $77,000 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Gross national saving:
  46.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
  46.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
  47.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 36.8%
  government consumption: 10%
  investment in fixed capital: 25.4%
  investment in inventories: 2.3%
  exports of goods and services: 187.6%
  imports of goods and services: -162.2%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 0%
  industry: 25%
  services: 75% (2014 est.)
  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:
  3.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Labor force:
  3.623 million
  note: excludes non-residents (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 1.3%
  industry: 14.8%
  services: 83.9%
  note: excludes non-residents (2014)
  Unemployment rate:
  2% (2014 est.)
  1.9% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.3%
  highest 10%: 11% (2014)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  46.4 (2014)
  46.3 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  Budget:
  revenues: $47.45 billion
  expenditures: $50.37 billion
  note: expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2015 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  15.4% of GDP (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -0.9% of GDP (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 29
  Public debt:
  103.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  99.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
  note: Singapore's 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-tradable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s; Singapore has no external public debt
  country comparison to the world: 11
  Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1% (2014 est.)
  2.4% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  5.35% (31 December 2014 est.)
  5.38% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Stock of narrow money:
  $126.5 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $123.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 31
  Stock of broad money:
  $413.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $405.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $479.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $458.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $787.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $751.1 billion (31 December 2013)
  $747.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 19
  Current account balance:
  $58.81 billion (2014 est.)
  $54.08 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 8
  Exports:
  $409.5 billion (2014 est.)
  $410.3 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 14
  Exports - commodities:
  machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products, foodstuffs and beverages
  Exports - partners:
  China 12.6%, Malaysia 12%, Hong Kong 11%, Indonesia 9.4%, US 5.9%, Japan 4.1%, South Korea 4.1% (2014)
  Imports:
  $366 billion (2014 est.)
  $373 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
  Imports - partners:
  China 12.1%, Malaysia 10.7%, US 10.3%, South Korea 5.9%, Japan 5.5%, Indonesia 5.1%, UAE 4.2%, Saudi Arabia 4% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $256.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $273.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Debt - external:
  $0 (2014 est.)
  $0 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 75
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $900.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $837.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 10
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $517.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $497.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Exchange rates:
  Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar -
  1.2671 (2014 est.)
  1.2513 (2013 est.)
  1.25 (2012 est.)
  1.258 (2011 est.)
  1.3635 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: SINGAPORE

- Electricity - production:
  49.31 billion kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Electricity - consumption:
  47.18 billion kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  10.49 million kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 55
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  95.3% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  3.9% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 72
  Crude oil - production:
  500 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Crude oil - imports:
  1.137 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 10
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 189
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  1.357 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  1.292 million bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 18
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  1.36 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Natural gas - consumption:
  9.38 billion cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Natural gas - imports:
  9.38 billion cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 25
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  208 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 29

- ## Communications :: SINGAPORE

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 1.96 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 8.7 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 157 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: excellent service
  domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity more than 180 telephones per 100 persons; multiple providers of high-speed Internet connectivity and the government is close to completing an island-wide roll out of a high-speed fiber-optic broadband network
  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 (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  state controls broadcast media; 8 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp which is wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV service available; a total of 18 domestic radio stations broadcasting with MediaCorp operating more than a dozen and another 4 stations are closely linked to the ruling party or controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association; many Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available
  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 users:
  total: 4.5 million
  percent of population: 80.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 73

- ## Transportation :: SINGAPORE

- Airports:
  9 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 9
  over 3,047 m: 2
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
  914 to 1,523 m: 1
  under 914 m: 1 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  gas 122 km; refined products 8 km (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 3,425 km
  paved: 3,425 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Merchant marine:
  total: 1,599
  by type: bulk carrier 247, cargo 109, carrier 6, chemical tanker 256, container 339, liquefied gas 131, petroleum tanker 436, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 57
  foreign-owned: 966 (Australia 12, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 1, Bermuda 25, Brazil 9, Chile 6, China 29, Cyprus 6, Denmark 149, France 3, Germany 32, Greece 22, Hong Kong 46, India 21, Indonesia 60, Italy 5, Japan 164, Malaysia 27, Netherlands 1, Norway 153, Russia 2, South Africa 13, South Korea 3, Sweden 11, Switzerland 3, Taiwan 77, Thailand 33, UAE 10, UK 6, US 36)
  registered in other countries: 344 (Australia 2, Bahamas 7, Bangladesh 7, Belize 4, Cambodia 3, Cyprus 1, France 3, Honduras 11, Hong Kong 13, Indonesia 46, Italy 1, Kiribati 9, Liberia 22, Malaysia 13, Maldives 4, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 30, Mongolia 3, North Korea 1, Panama 92, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 10, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Sierra Leone 9, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 19, US 16, Vanuatu 2, unknown 5) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Singapore
  container port(s) (TEUs): Singapore (31,649,400)
  LNG terminal(s) (import): 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) (2013)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 1/2 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2012)
  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:
  3.52% of GDP (2012)
  3.47% of GDP (2011)
  3.52% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 15

- ## 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 2008, ICJ awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did 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, including carrying out death sentences; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering

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