Singapore

Full name of country: Republic of Singapore

Region: East & Southeast Asia

Official language: Mandarin, English, Malay, Tamil

Population: 6,028,459 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Singaporean(s) (noun), Singapore (adjective)

Land area: 709.2 sq km (273.8 sq miles)

Water area: 10 sq km (4 sq miles)

Capital: Singapore

National anthem: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore), by Zubir Said

National holiday: National Day, August 9 (1965)

Population growth: 0.87% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +8

Flag: Singapore's flag is a horizontal bicolor featuring a white band on the bottom and a red band on the top. Featured on the left (hoist side) of the red band are a white crescent and five white, five-pointed stars in a pentagram formation. The red of the flag represents brotherhood and equality; the white represents purity and virtue; and the crescent symbolizes the country's youthful rise, while the stars stand for principles of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.

Motto: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward, Singapore)

Independence: August 9, 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

Government type: parliamentary republic

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Legal system: English common law

The Republic of Singapore is a small island located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, separated from the mainland by the Johor Strait. This small city-state consists of the main island and about sixty surrounding islets. The island is bordered on the south by the Singapore Strait, across which lies the Riau-Lingua Archipelago.

Singapore gained its independence from Great Britain in 1963, and two years later separated from the Malaysian Federation. It is now one of the most successful economic powers in Southeast Asia, as well-developed and modern as Taiwan and Japan. It continues to function as a crucial trading hub and international port. Its diverse citizenry are called Singaporeans.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: Due to Singapore's history as a busy port, its population has grown through immigration. The population is divided into four ethnic categories: Chinese, Malay (includes Malays and Indonesians), Indian (Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and Sri Lankans), and other ethnic groups (Eurasians, Caucasians, Japanese, Filipinos, and Vietnamese). About 74.2 percent of the population identify as Chinese, while 13.7 percent identify as Malays, 8.9 percent identify as Indians, and 3.2 percent identify as other (2021 estimates).

Many of the country's ethnic groups have their own dialects. Much of Singapore's Chinese population hails from the Fukien province and speaks the Amoy dialect, while the Malay population is more uniform with fewer dialects, mainly Javanese and Boyanese. The most diverse is the Indian population, which includes Tamils, Malayahis, and Sikhs.

To accommodate this diverse population, there are four official languages in Singapore: 29.9 percent of the population speak mostly Mandarin Chinese at home; 48.3 percent speak mostly English; 9.2 percent speak mostly Malay; and 2.5 percent speak mostly Tamil. Other non-official Chinese dialects, including Hokkien, Cantonese, and Teochew, are spoken most frequently at home by about 8.7 percent of Singaporeans (2020 estimates).

English is the language of education, commerce, and government administration. The official inclusion of Malay helps maintain relations with Malaysia, Singapore's northern neighbor.

About 31.1 percent of Singapore's population is Buddhist (2020 est.). The Malay and Indian populations are predominantly Muslim, representing about 15.6 percent of the population, while about 18.9 percent of the people (mostly Chinese) are Christian and 8.8 percent are Taoist (2020 est.). There is also a small Hindu population in Singapore, accounting for an estimated 5 percent of the population. An estimated 20 percent of the population followed no religion.

Singapore is very urbanized, with the modern amenities, superb health care, and long life spans typical of a fully-developed industrialized nation.

Indigenous People: In ancient times, Singapore was used as a trading port by the Chinese and the Malay. The island's name comes from the Sanskrit word Singapura, meaning "lion city." According to legend, thirteenth century sailors from Malaysia thought they had spotted lions on the island. Pirates were also known to use the island as a haven during this period.

The British East India Company arrived in Singapore in 1819. The British established a military base and subsequently turned the island into a profitable link in Britain's line of trade between India and China.

After independence, the Singapore population set out to consciously fashion a single national identity, out of the various Indian, Malay, and Chinese populations that had come to the island through generations of immigration. Contemporary Singapore combines these cultures with a modern, fast-paced economy. The country's strict moral code, which prohibits public displays of affection, among other things, works to counteract Western influence.

Education: Education is extremely important in Singapore. Primary education is free for children between the ages six to eighteen. Students are taught in English, though they are required to learn at least one additional official language. There are three separate educational tracks: academic, vocational, and commercial. The academic track is comprised of four to five years of courses.

Further access to higher education is determined by a student's performance in primary school. There is a two- to three-year preparation course for university or technical study. The country's largest university is the National University of Singapore, which was formed by the merger of the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University in 1980.

The average literacy rate in Singapore is 97.5 percent, with rates of 98.9 percent among men and 96.1 percent among women (2019 estimate).

Health Care: The quality of health care in Singapore is comparable to that found in other developed countries. The island is filled with both private and government-run hospitals, outpatient clinics, and mobile medical units. In addition, there is a cultural dedication to cleanliness and proper physical appearance.

Social welfare programs that care for the elderly, sick, or unemployed are overseen by the Council of Social Service, and enacted by a combination of government and volunteer organizations.

The infant mortality rate in Singapore is very low, at 1.5 deaths per every 1,000 live births (2024 estimate). Average life expectancy at birth is high, at 86.7 years overall; 84 years for men and 89.5 years for women (2024 estimates). The country ranked 9 out of 193 countries on the 2022 United Nations Human Development Index.

Food: Since Singapore is a modern city-state with steady trade, there is a variety of international fare available on the island, but the most characteristic dishes are from the Malay, Indian, and Chinese communities.

Popular Chinese-influenced dishes served on the island include Hainanese chicken rice and Teochow braised duck. Peranakan-style cooking combines Chinese ingredients and Malay spices, and Indian-style tandoori cooking is also prevalent. Fish head curry, a distinctly Singaporean dish, is usually made with red snapper.

Food is typically an important part of annual festivals in Singapore, and on regular days the streets are filled with a variety of "hawker-stalls." The stalls are almost like outdoor food courts with cafeteria-style seating and pictures tacked to the front of each cart illustrating the menu.

Arts & Entertainment: The diversity of Singapore's population is reflected in its art and culture. Music, drama, and painting in Singapore are strongly influenced by Chinese and Indian traditions, and Singapore's Malay music is played by Western-style orchestras.

Among the country's Hindi- and Tamil-speaking populations, musical films have been a great success. Popular culture in Singapore is dominated by cinema, with the country's most popular films coming from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States.

Newspapers are published in all of Singapore's official languages, and there are also Western magazines available. The press is nominally free but is still monitored by the government. Occasionally, circulation restrictions are placed on periodicals to inhibit unfavorable views of the government. The government owns the radio and television industries outright in the form of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Singapore. The country's national team won the regional AFF Championship tournament (formerly the Tiger Cup) in 1998, 2004, 2007, and 2012.

Holidays: The citizens of Singapore follow the lunar calendar, and the multiple Hindu, Chinese, and Muslim festivals fall on different days each year. Important festivals include the Chinese New Year in January or February, the Dragon Boat Festival in May or June, and the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival in autumn. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is also observed in the fall.

Singapore celebrates the anniversary of its 1965 independence on National Day (August 9).

Environment and Geography

Topography: Singapore is a small, low-lying island. The country's highest peak is at Bukit Timah (Malay, "tin hill"), 166 meters (about 545 feet) above sea level. In fact, only two-thirds of the country's area is higher than 15 meters (50 feet) above sea level.

The center of the island is comprised of rugged granite rocks. The eastern part of the island is a low plateau with eroded hills and valleys of sand and gravel. To the west and south lie lower areas of sedimentary rock.

The main island makes up the majority (more than 90 percent) of Singapore's area. Some of the largest islands among the fifty that make up the rest of the country's area include Pulau Ubin, Jurong Island, and Pulau Tekong. Singapore is connected to the Malaysian mainland by a causeway and a road bridge. There is also a water pipeline across the Johor Strait.

The country's total coastline measures 193 kilometers (120 miles). The country's longest river is the 14.5-kilometer (9-mile) Seletar River. Most inland water is found in small streams.

Natural Resources: Since it lacks mineral resources, and the country is mostly urban, Singapore's greatest resource is its strategic location and its large natural deepwater harbor, necessary for its lucrative trade activity.

There are few forests and little fertile farmland left in Singapore, and the local fishing industry is economically insignificant.

Because of its small size and relatively large urban population, Singapore faces several environmental challenges, including a lack of fresh water resources and industrial pollution. Waste disposal and seasonal smoke and haze from Indonesian forest fires also pose problems for the small island nation.

Plants & Animals: Because of exploitation, deforestation, and the fact that Singapore is overwhelmingly urban, few plants and animals remain. At one point, the island was covered by jungle. There are some mangrove forests left in the northwest Kranji area, as well as some preserved evergreen rainforests. Coral reefs may be found off some of the smaller outlying islands.

Animals found in Singapore include the scaly anteater, the long-tailed macaque (a local monkey), the slow loris lemur, and the Indian mynah bird. Lizards and snakes, especially cobras, are common.

Climate: Singapore has a tropical climate. The country lies within the Southeast Asian equatorial monsoon region, meaning that the weather is consistently hot and humid, and rain falls virtually every day.

The official wet season coincides with the northeast monsoon, and lasts from November to March. The rainy season peaks in December, with an average rainfall of 250 millimeters (10 inches). The "dry" season lasts from May to September, with a low average of 180 millimeters (7 inches) in July. The country's total precipitation is around 2,400 millimeters (95 inches) annually.

Temperatures range from about 27° Celsius (81° Fahrenheit) in June to about 25° Celsius (77° Fahrenheit) in January.

Economy

Singapore has been a tremendous economic success since it was colonized by the British in the early nineteenth century. Its strength comes from its function as an international trading post, as well as its healthy financial and industrial sectors.

The economy saw tremendous growth from 1960. At the start of the twenty-first century, Singapore's economy was affected by global recession as well as an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), but it recovered relatively quickly.

In 2021 Singapore's per capita gross domestic product (GDP purchasing power parity) was estimated at US$106,000, and its GDP was estimated at $578.25 billion. The unemployment rate was 3.47% of a labor force of 3.619 million (2023 est.).

Industry: Since the mid-twentieth century, the primary focus of Singapore's economy has been on exports and industrialization, as well as the financial industry. The government has created free trade zones as well as incentives for investment from foreign corporations.

The country's most important exports include pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipment (including electronic components and telecommunications), refined petroleum, foodstuffs, and beverages. Most of Singapore's industrial activity takes place in Jurong and on Jurong Island.

Modern Singapore functions as an intermediate point for the assembly or processing of goods. For instance, Singapore imports crude petroleum and exports it after refining it. The same process is applied to imported fuels, machinery, rubber, and lumber. The country's largest trading partners include China, Malaysia, the United States, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan.

Agriculture: Because of massive urbanization and two centuries of deforestation, there is little agriculture to speak of in Singapore. Almost all of the country's agricultural products are imported from other Southeast Asian countries.

In general, the country's land is infertile, due to poor soil and drainage, and over-exploitation. Singaporean farmers produce vegetables, poultry, and eggs for domestic consumption. Prawns and sea bass are raised for export, and the country is also known for producing orchids and aquarium fish.

Tourism: Tourism is another vital component in Singapore's economy. Visitors are attracted to its beaches, its diverse cultural makeup, and its modern urban landscape. As a regional business center, the country features many opportunities for shopping and dining, and boasts fine hotels, casinos, and other amenities.

Singapore's tourist industry is complimented by its excellent transportation infrastructure, including a modern highway system, light monorail service, and an international airport. The tourist industry was hurt in 2003 due to an outbreak of SARS, in 2008 due to the global financial crisis, and then again in 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic of that year.

Government

Singapore became a British colony in 1867. During World War II, it was invaded by Japan. After a brief membership in the Federation of Malaysia (with Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah), Singapore became an independent nation in 1965.

Today, Singapore is a parliamentary republic with a president that serves as the chief of state. The presidency was a mostly ceremonial position until 1991, when a constitutional amendment that year expanded presidential powers, and made it a popularly-elected position. The president appoints the prime minister, who serves as head of government, the deputy prime ministers, and a cabinet.

The legislative branch consists of a unicameral 103-member parliament. The members serve five-year terms. Singapore's legal system is based on English common law, with a Supreme Court and lower district and magistrate courts.

Voting is compulsory for all Singaporeans twenty-one years of age and older. Singapore also has an active military, supported by conscription of males eighteen and over.

The dominant political party, the People's Action Party (PAP), has been in control of the country since 1959. PAP founder and Singapore's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, died in March 2015. Other parties include the National Solidarity Party (NSP), the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), and the Worker's Party (WP). There is a strict sense of public morality in Singapore, with an emphasis on appearance, hygiene, and political loyalty. This loyalty is enforced by local laws that allow political dissidents to be held without a trial indefinitely.

In 1994, Singapore caned an American teenager, Michael Fay, for vandalizing cars. The incident brought international attention to Singapore's strict sense of public decency and use of flogging as punishment. In a gesture of good will, Singapore government reduced Fay's sentence from six lashes to four. However, the government continued to practice corporal punishment throughout the twenty-first century and retained a fairly strict legal system. In 2022 the government decriminalized same-sex sexual relations, which was viewed as a victory for the country's LGBTQ+ community.

Halimah Yacob became Singapore's first female president in September 2017.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected president in September 2023 with a record 70.4% of the votes, comfortably beating two other candidates in the country's first contested presidential election in more than a decade. He is the first non-Chinese candidate to be directly elected to the presidency.

Interesting Facts

• Some of Singapore's more unusual laws include a ban on chewing gum, and fines for spitting, littering, and failure to flush public toilets.
• Singapore is the smallest Southeast Asian nation.
• A vending machine was installed at the National University of Singapore that dispensed a Coca-Cola if the customer hugged the machine, no money needed.
• A study by the British Council found that Singaporeans are on average the fastest walkers in the world.

Bibliography

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"Singapore." Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Programme, 13 Mar. 2024, hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/SGP. Accessed Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

"Singapore." The World Bank, 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/singapore. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

"Singapore." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 23 Dec. 2024, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/singapore/. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

"Singapore: Country Profile." BBC News, 4 Sep. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-15961759. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.