About  |   Contact  |  Mongabay on Facebook  |  Mongabay on Twitter  |  Subscribe
Rainforests | Tropical fish | Environmental news | For kids | Madagascar | Photos

Singapore Historical and Political Profile








MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)







WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Email:


Singapore Index

  • Singapore-Parapolitical Institutions
  • Singapore-ECONOMIC ROLES OF THE GOVERNMENT
  • Singapore-PRECOLONIAL ERA
  • Singapore-Budgeting and Planning
  • Singapore-China
  • Singapore-Religion and Ethnicity
  • Singapore-Jurong Town Corporation
  • Singapore-Temasek and Singapura
  • Singapore-The Japanese Malaya Campaign
  • Singapore-KEY POLITICAL ISSUES
  • Singapore-Acknowledgments
  • Singapore-Organization and Mission of the Armed Forces
  • Singapore-Subversive Threats
  • Singapore-Sea
  • Singapore-Historical Development
  • Singapore-Currency, Trade, and Investment Regulation
  • Singapore-Urban Renewal Authority
  • Singapore-AFTERMATH OF WAR, 1945-55
  • Singapore-ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE, 1955-65
  • Singapore-Chapter 3 - The Economy
  • Singapore-State-Owned Enterprises
  • Singapore-Financial Success
  • Singapore-Language Planning
  • Singapore-Trends in Criminal Activities
  • Singapore-International Financial Organizations
  • Singapore-Population Distribution and Housing Policies
  • Singapore-Chapter 2 - The Society and Its Environment
  • Singapore-Trade Development Board
  • Singapore-The School System EDUCATION
  • Singapore-Early Administration and Growth
  • Singapore-Governing Precepts and Goals FOREIGN POLICY
  • Singapore-FINANCE
  • Singapore-WORLD WAR II, 1941-45
  • Singapore-THE ARMED FORCES
  • Singapore-Indonesia
  • Singapore-The Chinese
  • Singapore-THE MEDIA
  • Singapore-Political Culture
  • Singapore-TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • Singapore-Tourism
  • Singapore-Ethnicity and Associations THE SOCIAL SYSTEM
  • Singapore-Military Establishment
  • Singapore-Recruitment and Training of Personnel
  • Singapore-Manpower Training
  • Singapore-Social Stratification and Mobility
  • Singapore-A Cosmopolitan Community
  • Singapore-Statutory Boards
  • Singapore-Small Enterprise Bureau
  • Singapore-PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT
  • Singapore-Land Management and Development
  • Singapore-Uniforms and Insignia
  • Singapore-Superpowers
  • Singapore-Civil Defense
  • Singapore-Petroleum
  • Singapore-Strategic Perspective
  • Singapore-Malaysia
  • Singapore-ECONOMY
  • Singapore-Foreword
  • Singapore-Other Trading Partners
  • Singapore-PHYSICAL SETTING
  • Singapore-Financial Center Development
  • Singapore-Information Technology
  • Singapore-A FLOURISHING FREE PORT, 1826-67
  • Singapore-NATIONAL SECURITY
  • Singapore-Organization, Recruitment, and Training of Police
  • Singapore-Chapter 4 - Government and Politics
  • Singapore-Succession
  • Singapore-Industrialization Policy INDUSTRY
  • Singapore-Regional
  • Singapore-Education and Singaporean Identity
  • Singapore-GEOGRAPHY
  • Singapore-POLITICAL PARTIES
  • Singapore-Chapter 5 - National Security
  • Singapore-Japan
  • Singapore-The Legislature
  • Singapore-Prisons and Rehabilitation Centers
  • Singapore-Power Structure POLITICAL DYNAMICS
  • Singapore-United States
  • Singapore-The Public Service
  • Singapore-The Soviet Union
  • Singapore-Shonan: Light of the South
  • Singapore-Raffles' Dream
  • Singapore-National Productivity Board
  • Singapore-Defense Industries
  • Singapore-The Executive
  • Singapore-Foreign Labor
  • Singapore-TRANSPORTATION
  • Singapore-Religious Change
  • Singapore-Mortality and Morbidity
  • Singapore-Economic Boards
  • Singapore-Air
  • Singapore-Judicial System
  • Singapore-Under Lee Kuan Yew
  • Singapore-Crime and Law Enforcement
  • Singapore-Policies for the Future
  • Singapore-POPULATION
  • Singapore -COUNTRY PROFILE
  • Singapore-The Public Bureaucracy
  • Singapore-The Indians
  • Singapore-BETWEEN THE WORLD WARS, 1919-41
  • Singapore-Defense Spending
  • Singapore-Wage Policies
  • Singapore-Singapore as Part of Malaysia
  • Singapore-MANPOWER AND LABOR
  • Singapore-Foreign Trade TRADE, TOURISM, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
  • Singapore-The Malays
  • Singapore-Subversive Political Groups, 1965 to the Present
  • Singapore-RELIGION
  • Singapore-Johore Sultanate
  • Singapore-Family, Marriage, and Divorce
  • Singapore-Public Enterprises
  • Singapore-Total Defence Concept
  • Singapore
  • Singapore-Indonesia's Destabilization Attempts, 1963-66
  • Singapore
  • Singapore-Army
  • Singapore-The Communist Threat, 1945-63
  • Singapore-Form of Government
  • Singapore-The Judiciary
  • Singapore-People's Action Party
  • Singapore-Public Utilities
  • Singapore-Toward New Leadership
  • Singapore-Growth of the Armed Forces
  • Singapore-GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
  • Singapore-Population, Vital Statistics, and Migration
  • Singapore
  • Singapore-The Limits of Government Control
  • Singapore-People's Defence Force and National Cadet Corps
  • Singapore-Elections
  • Singapore-Ethnic Categories ETHNIC AND LINGUISTIC GROUPS
  • Singapore-Industrial Relations and Labor Unions
  • Singapore-Economic and Social Recovery
  • Singapore-Introduction
  • Singapore
  • Singapore-SOCIETY
  • Singapore-GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
  • Singapore-Forced Savings and Capital Formation
  • Singapore-Trading Partners
  • Singapore-Indochina
  • Singapore-Medical Services and Public Health HEALTH AND WELFARE
  • Singapore-Singaporean Identity
  • Singapore-Military Relations with Other Countries
  • Singapore-Relations Between State and Society
  • Singapore-Telecommunications
  • Singapore-Air Force
  • Singapore-Role in Society
  • Singapore-TWO DECADES OF INDEPENDENCE, 1965-85
  • Singapore-Anglo-Dutch Competition
  • Singapore
  • Singapore-AGRICULTURE
  • Singapore-FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS, 1819-26
  • Singapore-PUBLIC ORDER AND INTERNAL SECURITY
  • Singapore-British Military Involvement, 1819-1942
  • Singapore-Chapter 1 - Historical Setting
  • Singapore-Decline of British Military Influence, 1945-75
  • Singapore
  • Singapore
  • Singapore-Major Governmental Bodies
  • Singapore-Land
  • Singapore-Political Awakening
  • Singapore
  • Singapore-AIDS Policy
  • Singapore-Privatization
  • Singapore-Housing and Development Board
  • Singapore-The Government's Economic Role
  • Singapore-Constitutional Framework
  • BackgroundSingapore 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.
    LocationSoutheastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
    Area(sq km)total: 697 sq km
    land: 687 sq km
    water: 10 sq km
    Geographic coordinates1 22 N, 103 48 E
    Land boundaries(km)0 km

    Coastline(km)193 km

    Climatetropical; 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

    Elevation extremes(m)lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
    highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
    Natural resourcesfish, deepwater ports
    Land use(%)arable land: 1.47%
    permanent crops: 1.47%
    other: 97.06% (2005)

    Irrigated land(sq km)NA
    Total renewable water resources(cu km)0.6 cu km (1975)
    Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%)
    per capita: 44 cu m/yr (1975)
    Natural hazardsNA
    Environment - current issuesindustrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
    Environment - international agreementsparty 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 - notefocal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
    Population4,657,542 (July 2009 est.)
    Age structure(%)0-14 years: 14.4% (male 348,382/female 324,050)
    15-64 years: 76.7% (male 1,737,972/female 1,833,415)
    65 years and over: 8.9% (male 184,393/female 229,330) (2009 est.)
    Median age(years)total: 39 years
    male: 38.5 years
    female: 39.4 years (2009 est.)
    Population growth rate(%)0.998% (2009 est.)
    Birth rate(births/1,000 population)8.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Death rate(deaths/1,000 population)4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)

    Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population)5.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Urbanization(%)urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
    rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
    Sex ratio(male(s)/female)at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
    under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
    15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
    total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
    Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births)total: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 2.51 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 2.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

    Life expectancy at birth(years)total population: 81.98 years
    male: 79.37 years
    female: 84.78 years (2009 est.)

    Total fertility rate(children born/woman)1.09 children born/woman (2009 est.)
    Nationalitynoun: Singaporean(s)
    adjective: Singapore
    Ethnic groups(%)Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (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)
    Languages(%)Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)

    Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Singapore
    conventional short form: Singapore
    local long form: Republic of Singapore
    local short form: Singapore
    Government typeparliamentary republic
    Capitalname: Singapore
    geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E
    time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
    Administrative divisionsnone
    Constitution3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution)

    Legal systembased on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

    Suffrage21 years of age; universal and compulsory
    Executive branchchief of state: President S R NATHAN (since 1 September 1999)
    note: uses S R NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN
    head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Huan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005)
    cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament
    elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president
    election results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN appointed president in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified three other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held
    Legislative branchunicameral Parliament (84 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 6 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
    election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 66.6%, WP 16.3%, SDA 13%, SDP 4.1%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1

    Judicial branchSupreme 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 pressure groups and leadersnone
    International organization participationADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, 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, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Flag descriptiontwo 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

    Economy - overviewSingapore 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 service sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7% between 2004 and 2007, but dropped to 1.1% in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis. The economy contracted in the last three quarters of 2008. Prime Minister LEE and other senior officials have dampened expectations for a quick rebound in 2009. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to global demand cycles especially for information technology products. It 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)$237.9 billion (2008 est.)
    $235.3 billion (2007 est.)
    $218.3 billion (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP (official exchange rate)$181.9 billion (2008 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate(%)1.1% (2008 est.)
    7.8% (2007 est.)
    8.4% (2006 est.)
    GDP - per capita (PPP)$51,600 (2008 est.)
    $51,700 (2007 est.)
    $48,600 (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP - composition by sector(%)agriculture: 0%
    industry: 27.8%
    services: 72.2% (2008 est.)
    Labor force2.94 million (2008 est.)

    Labor force - by occupation(%)agriculture 0%, industry 22.6%, services 77.4% (2007)
    Unemployment rate(%)2.2% (2008 est.)
    2.1% (2007 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 index48.1 (2008)
    Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP)28.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
    Budgetrevenues: $29.25 billion
    expenditures: $26.48 billion (2008 est.)
    Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%)6.5% (2008 est.)
    2.1% (2007 est.)

    Stock of money$52.57 billion (31 December 2008)
    $44.4 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of quasi money$179 billion (31 December 2008)
    $162.2 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of domestic credit$143.6 billion (31 December 2008)
    $129.2 billion (31 December 2007)
    Market value of publicly traded shares$268.6 billion (31 December 2008)
    $353.5 billion (31 December 2007)
    $276.3 billion (31 December 2006)
    Economic aid - recipient$0 (2007)

    Public debt(% of GDP)99.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
    102.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
    Agriculture - productsorchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish
    Industrieselectronics, 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(%)-0.8% (2008 est.)

    Current account balance$25.78 billion (2008 est.)
    $39.11 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports$342.7 billion (2008 est.)
    $303.1 billion (2007 est.)

    Exports - commodities(%)machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels
    Exports - partners(%)Malaysia 12.1%, Indonesia 10.5%, Hong Kong 10.3%, China 9.2%, US 7.1%, Japan 4.9%, Australia 4.1% (2008)
    Imports$309.6 billion (2008 est.)
    $254 billion (2007 est.)

    Imports - commodities(%)machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
    Imports - partners(%)Malaysia 11.9%, US 11.8%, China 10.5%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.6%, Indonesia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.6% (2008)

    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$174.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $163 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Debt - external$25.52 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $25.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

    Stock of direct foreign investment - at home$250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $232.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad$173.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $169.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Exchange ratesSingapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.415 (2008 est.), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004)

    Currency (code)Singapore dollar (SGD)

    Telephones - main lines in use1.857 million (2008)
    Telephones - mobile cellular6.375 million (2008)
    Telephone systemgeneral assessment: excellent service
    domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 175 telephones per 100 persons
    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 (2008)
    Internet country code.sg
    Internet users3.37 million (2008)
    Airports8 (2009)
    Pipelines(km)gas 106 km (2008)
    Roadways(km)total: 3,297 km
    paved: 3,297 km (includes 150 km of expressways) (2007)

    Ports and terminalsSingapore
    Military branchesSingapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2009)
    Military service age and obligation(years of age)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 servicemales age 16-49: 1,277,862 (2008 est.)
    Manpower fit for military servicemales age 16-49: 1,033,961
    females age 16-49: 1,104,952 (2009 est.)
    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallymale: 27,715
    female: 26,290 (2009 est.)
    Military expenditures(% of GDP)4.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
    Disputes - internationaldisputes 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 November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings as a consequence of the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and 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

    Electricity - production(kWh)38.67 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - production by source(%)fossil fuel: 100%
    hydro: 0%
    nuclear: 0%
    other: 0% (2001)
    Electricity - consumption(kWh)36.6 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - exports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Electricity - imports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Oil - production(bbl/day)8,553 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - consumption(bbl/day)896,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - exports(bbl/day)1.289 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - imports(bbl/day)2.109 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - proved reserves(bbl)0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
    Natural gas - production(cu m)0 cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - consumption(cu m)8.27 billion cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - exports(cu m)0 cu m (2008)
    Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m)0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%)0.2% (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS4,200 (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - deathsfewer than 200 (2007 est.)
    Literacy(%)definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 92.5%
    male: 96.6%
    female: 88.6% (2000 census)

    Education expenditures(% of GDP)3.7% of GDP (2001)








    Copyright mongabay 2000-2013