REACH (Telegram) 26 - What are your views on the recent population increase? What suggestions would you have for our population strategies to support a thriving people, a dynamic economy, an inclusive society and a resilient nation? (SK)
25 Sep 2024 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [25/9/2024 9:45 AM]
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Megan ๐
REACH Singapore, [25/9/2024 9:50 AM]
๐ข Topic ๐ข
As of June 2024, Singapore’s total population reached 6.04 million, marking a 2 per cent increase from June 2023. This data was released on Tuesday (Sep 24) in the annual "Population in Brief" report by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) of the Prime Minister’s Office and its partner agencies. 4.18 million were residents, while around 1.86 million were non-residents.
The population growth was primarily driven by a 5 per cent rise in the non-resident population, which increased from 1.77 million in June 2023 to 1.86 million in June 2024, according to the report. The largest contributors to this increase were Work Permit Holders and Migrant Domestic Workers.
Based on the current average growth rate, Mr Christopher Gee, deputy director and senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), projected that Singapore will have a population of 6.37 million by June 2030.
This is “comfortably” below the projection of 6.5 million to 6.9 million based on a government White Paper released in 2013, he said.
๐ฌ What are your views on the recent population increase? What suggestions would you have for our population strategies to support a thriving people, a dynamic economy, an inclusive society and a resilient nation?
The rise in non-resident workers, especially work permit holders and migrant domestic workers, supports services essential to Singapore’s social and economic needs, according to a statement from the NPTD. These workers help with caregiving and fill roles that residents typically avoid, such as in construction.
At the same time, residents have continued to take on higher-paying jobs, with employment increasing in industries like financial and insurance services, information and communications, and professional services. The labour force participation rate remained strong, with low unemployment rates among residents and citizens.
However, among citizens, the number of births and marriages declined in 2023, while the proportion of seniors continued to rise.
๐ A growing proportion of elderly citizens
As of June 2024, 19.9 per cent of Singapore's citizens were aged 65 and older, up from 12.4 per cent in June 2014. This group is growing faster now compared to the previous decade. The number of citizens aged 80 and above also increased by about 67 per cent, rising from 85,000 in 2014 to 142,000 in 2024.
๐ Decline in Local Fertility Rates
In 2023, there were 28,877 citizen births, a 5.1 per cent decrease from the 30,429 citizen births recorded in 2022. The average number of births per year over the past five years (31,100) was also lower than the average of the previous five years (33,000). Additionally, the resident total fertility rate fell to a record low of 0.97 in 2023.
๐ Fewer marriages among local citizens
In 2023, there were 24,355 citizen marriages, 1.7 per cent lower than the record high of 24,767 in 2022, but higher than the 22,165 in 2019. The average number of citizen marriages per year in the last five years (22,800) was lower than in the preceding five years (24,000).
๐More transnational marriages
In 2023, transnational marriages—between a citizen and a non-citizen—accounted for 36 per cent of all citizen marriages, up from 33 per cent in 2022. Except for a decline in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, this proportion has consistently remained above one-third over the past decade. Additionally, non-citizen brides have become older and more educated at the time of marriage. Of the 28,877 citizen births in 2023, more than one in four were to couples made up of a citizen and a non-citizen.
๐ https://str.sg/y67C
๐ https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-population-604-million-non-resident-increase-4627281
๐ Report : https://www.population.gov.sg/files/media-centre/publications/Population_in_Brief_2024.pdf
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REACH Singapore, [25/9/2024 11:01 AM]
[ Poll : With the recent population growth, which areas are you most concerned with? ]
- Infrastructure and services (e.g., housing, transportation)
- Employment opportunities and economic conditions
- Family dynamics (e.g., marriage and parenthood trends)
- Ageing population and support for the eldery
- Immigration and social integration
- Others (please share your thoughts in the chat below)
REACH Singapore, [25/9/2024 11:56 AM]
Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
๐ฌ What are your views on the recent population increase? What suggestions would you have for our population strategies to support a thriving people, a dynamic economy, an inclusive society and a resilient nation?
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Thank you.
Megan ๐
Wee Seng Koh, [25/9/2024 12:17 PM]
It is an inevitable outcome. The increase in population is primarily due to non-residents whether they are taking lower, median, higher income jobs, the concern is whether they would contribute to nation building, or take whatever benefits and leave the leftovers for the residents. This negative attitude will build lines, stratification, and with growth, turn the society into one which ONLY looks out for oneself, for others (non-residents, or naturalising residents) are doing it vehenmently. To further spin it, our residents would also pick up our bags, leave our homes, and do the same elsewhere. \
CK Lee, [25/9/2024 12:37 PM]
The rise in the non-resident population, from 1.77 million to 1.86 million, may alters the demographic landscape, affecting household formation and size.
On top of that the proportion of citizens aged 65 and above increased to 19.9% in June 2024.
More than one in four citizen births in 2023 were to couples with a citizen and a non-citizen parent.
This increased population density may also strain public services such as healthcare, education, and housing, leading to competition for resources.
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 12:43 PM]
I feel Singapore is overcrowded
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 12:44 PM]
Massage industry overcrowded also. Every few steps you see a massage shop
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 12:45 PM]
And despite competition the price still expensive and cannot beat Malaysia price
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 12:49 PM]
Isn't it too much when you see massage shop almost every where? More than provision shop?
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 12:50 PM]
And all they need is 3 months of training?
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 12:52 PM]
I am concerned. Do we increase our population just to increase our population?
REACH Singapore, [25/9/2024 2:00 PM]
๐ข Topic ๐ข
REACH Singapore, [25/9/2024 2:04 PM]
Dear Contributors,
Please take a moment to participate in our polls ๐ and share your opinion ๐ญ. The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!
Thank you.
Megan
LCL (Danny ๅฟ), [25/9/2024 2:10 PM]
1. In an ideal situation, our Singapore TFR is 2.1 and above - so that our baby birth will be able to replace elderly population in workforce and take care of the elderly.
2. In so doing, our population organic growth will ensure :-
a. Our Economy workforce continue to run smoothly with sufficient workers in the respective industry sectors and new economic sectors with the relevant skillsets.
b. Our Security institutions such as Armed Forces, Home Team etc are properly staffed with trusted workers to ensure Singapore security and safety - and safeguard our existence, survival and prosperity.
c. Continue to attract investors and business - as we have sufficient and relevant right talents.
d. Enough young people to take care of our elderly.
3. Only then, we will attract the right foreign workers in :-
a. Construction, domestic workers, elderly healthcare assistants, maritime maintenance etc blue collars -- whereby such jobs are shunned by local residents.
b. Home office, Nichce, high tech talents (eg. thermonuclear, green sustainability, quantum science etc)
4. But such ideal perfect scenario have not been forthcoming for many years - as our TFR have been hovering around 0.97 - way below our population replacement level.
Despite all efforts to get our residents marriage, give birth, work life balance, birth incentives etc --- our TFR continue to keep falling year after year.
5. This will have an adverse effect not only to our Economy, our prosperity and even be an existential threat to our existence.
a.. Not enough workers to run our Economy and business - investors leave, we lose jobs enmass, not enough talents to service the respective industrial sectors - our Economy collapse..
b. Not enough people to helm our Government, security institutions like Armed forces, Police, ambulance service, prison guards, fire fighting - that will threaten our very existence.
c. No good foreign investment will come into our Country - as our Economy is in limbo and we are in a security mess.
d. Not enough young people to take care of our elderly.
It will come to a point whereby our Country is no longer viable.
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 2:29 PM]
So human is the only thing that makes our country viable?
LCL (Danny ๅฟ), [25/9/2024 2:29 PM]
Singapore only resources is human capital.
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 2:30 PM]
What is the maximum population that Singapore can have actually
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 2:31 PM]
And what is the minimum population that Singapore can survive using the situation now
LCL (Danny ๅฟ), [25/9/2024 2:32 PM]
Only government knows.
According to the report.
It is 6.5 to 6.9 million.
We are still below this threshold.
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 2:34 PM]
I voted for infrastructure as I feel that with the limited land in Singapore can Singapore support so many people
LCL (Danny ๅฟ), [25/9/2024 2:34 PM]
* The next best alternative*
1. As depending on our TFR to ensure our Economy to perform well, our Security continue to be safeguarded - we need to ensure we get the right mix of population to replace our elderly population every year.
2. And the next best solution, is attracting the right mix of people - eg. Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian & others immigrants --- with the right skillsets or talents willing to stay in Singapore to ensure our Economy and Security to do well and not compromise.
3. Of course, there will be side effects by falling back to this next best alternative - to resolve our population replacement woes as rightly pointed out by the Government specifically :-
a. Employment opportunities and economic conditions
b. Infrastructure and services (eg housing, transportation)
c. Immigration and social integration
(The 3 biggest concen to our population --- and rightfully so).
And there will be some other smaller issues like :-
a. Family dynamics (eg. marriage and parenthood trends) - between locals and immigrants
Hence mitigating such side effects will become imperative.
Jun Ming, [25/9/2024 2:39 PM]
And I would also like to express concern on some jobs that is clearly dominated by foreigners and have overwhelmed. One such industry is massage. Idk how many massage shops out there but it's Seems to have so many. Walk a few steps than you will see one. And each one provide 4-5 or more foreign workers job. I not sure how does that help in Singapore economy
LCL (Danny ๅฟ), [25/9/2024 3:10 PM]
*Mitigating the impact of immigrants to resolve population replacement*
1. Employment opportunities and economic conditions
a. Government got to ensure that local population will have the best shots for jobs, career path, high income and sufficient nest eggs for retirement --- when Government welcome immigrants to our shore.
Looking at the job statistics, I am confident that this conditions can be met based on the education provided, Skillsfuture for continuous employment, and high income job..
The high employment rate for citizens and PRs, the high median income of more than $5,000, Trainng allowance for training upon retrenchment etc.
b. Infrastructure and services (eg housing, transportation)
This could be a current concern - as housing price is still high and the HDB flats supply are still ramping up.
But the trajectory of HDB flats supply are going up.
Notice that there are still many reserves vacant land.
Government plan between 6.5 to 6.9 million population - can likely to be accomodated comfortably. (I trust the Government).
Next is the number of ongoing MRT lines that are still being constructed eg. the Thomson East Coast line, LRT etc.
I feel that all these new lines should be able to accomodate the projected population needs.
To date, taking MRT and buses ---- it is not as crowded like pack to the sardines --- for this few years I realised - after pandemic until now.
But food court in some areas are more packed - eg. in NEX, Punggol Mall, Sengkang.
c. Immigration and social integration
This is an area I feel more improvement can be made - as noticed that some immigrants eg. Chinese, Indians, other nationalities eg. Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwanese, Western etc ---- will be quite distinct in the way they interact with locals --- as their culture, language, the way they talk and behave are quite different from our locals.
It still need sometimes for new immigrants to get acquainted with our culture - the way we talk, behave, study, work and play ---- before we can feel that these immigrants are one of us.
d. Family dynamics (eg. marriage and parenthood trends) - between locals and immigrants.
This issue is less worrying --- as it is confine within the family members between our local and the immigrants.
If they come to marriage and parenthood ---- they must have overcome many hurdles to get there.
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