East & Southeast Asia :: Singapore

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## 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: 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: 0.89% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 98.97% (2011)
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 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:
5,460,302 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.6% (male 381,145/female 363,504) 15-24 years: 18.2% (male 490,526/female 505,713) 25-54 years: 50.1% (male 1,336,298/female 1,401,106) 55-64 years: 9.9% (male 269,411/female 269,137) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 200,602/female 242,860) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 33.6 years male: 33.5 years female: 33.7 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.96% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Birth rate:
7.91 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 220
Death rate:
3.41 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 215
Net migration rate:
15.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
29.4 (2008 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 182
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 221 male: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 84.07 years country comparison to the world: 4 male: 81.67 years female: 86.64 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
0.79 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 224
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
62% note: percent of women aged 15-44 (1997)
Health expenditures:
4% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 168
Physicians density:
1.83 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
3.14 beds/1,000 population (2008)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
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: 145
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
7.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 142
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
3.3% (2000) country comparison to the world: 108
Education expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 132
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 96.6% female: 88.6% (2000 census)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 6.7% (2011) country comparison to the world: 128

## 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:
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) 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 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 (NMP) and up to nine Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP); traditionally, members of parties that came closest to winning seats may be appointed as NCMPs; NMPs are appointed by the president to ensure that a wide range of community views are present in Parliament; NMPs are independent and non-partisan 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; (seats as of February 2013 PAP 80, WP 7)
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 [Hazel POA] People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong] Reform Party [Kenneth JEYARETNAM] Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [Desmond LIM] Singapore Democratic Party [CHEE Soon Juan] Singapore People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong] Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Khiang] note: SDA includes Singapore Justice Party or SJP and Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS
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 (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco
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, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature)
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 ::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 financial services sector. Real GDP growth averaged 8.6% between 2004 and 2007. The economy contracted 0.8% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but rebounded 14.8% in 2010, on the strength of renewed exports, before slowing to 5.2% in 2011 and 1.3% in 2012, largely a result of soft demand for exports during the second European recession. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that focuses on raising productivity, which has sunk to an average of about 1.0% 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):
$331.9 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $327.6 billion (2011 est.) $311.5 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$276.5 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 5.2% (2011 est.) 14.8% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$61,400 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $61,700 (2011 est.) $60,100 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 0% industry: 26.8% services: 73.2% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
3.618 million country comparison to the world: 97 note: excludes non-residents (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.1% industry: 19.6% services: 80.3% note: excludes non-residents (2011)
Unemployment rate:
1.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 2% (2011 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 (2012) country comparison to the world: 26 48.1 (2008)
Investment (gross fixed):
24.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Budget:
revenues: $43.44 billion expenditures: $37.83 billion note: expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
15.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Public debt:
111.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 106% of GDP (2011 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-tradable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 5.2% (2011 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.38% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 5.38% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$115 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $99.28 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$400.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $340.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$281.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $235.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$709.4 billion (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 21 $569.4 billion (31 December 2011) $620.5 billion (31 December 2010)
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:
1.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Current account balance:
$51.44 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $65.32 billion (2011 est.)
Exports:
$435.8 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $434.1 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products
Exports - partners:
Malaysia 12.2%, Hong Kong 10.9%, China 10.7%, Indonesia 10.5%, US 5.5%, Japan 4.6%, Australia 4.2%, South Korea 4% (2012)
Imports:
$374.9 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $361.5 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Malaysia 10.6%, China 10.3%, US 10.2%, South Korea 6.8%, Japan 6.2%, Indonesia 5.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.5%, UAE 4.1% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$259.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $237.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.174 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $1.088 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$454.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $517.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$300.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $331 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Exchange rates:
Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.2497 (2012 est.) 1.258 (2011 est.) 1.3635 (2010 est.) 1.4545 (2009) 1.415 (2008)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

## Energy ::Singapore

Electricity - production:
45.37 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - consumption:
41.2 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
10.47 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
99.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Crude oil - imports:
883,500 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Refined petroleum products - production:
1.357 million bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
1.25 million bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Refined petroleum products - exports:
1.14 million bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Refined petroleum products - imports:
1.348 million bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
Natural gas - consumption:
8.778 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - imports:
8.778 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
172.2 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

## Communications ::Singapore

Telephones - main lines in use:
2.017 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 58
Telephones - mobile cellular:
7.794 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 90
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
Internet country code:
.sg
Internet hosts:
1.96 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 39
Internet users:
3.235 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 65

## Transportation ::Singapore

Airports:
9 (2012) 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: 2 (2012)
Pipelines:
gas 122 km; refined products 8 km (2013)
Roadways:
total: 3,356 km country comparison to the world: 163 paved: 3,356 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2009)
Merchant marine:
total: 1,599 country comparison to the world: 6 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)
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) (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:
3.6% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 32

## 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; 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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