2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

none

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 362,329/female 337,964) 15-64 years: 76.1% (male 1,666,709/female 1,750,736) 65 years and over: 8.3% (male 165,823/female 208,589) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish

Airports

9 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1

total

9

under 914 m

1 (2006)

Area

land

682.7 sq km

total

692.7 sq km

water

10 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

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

Birth rate

9.34 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$19.85 billion; including capital expenditures of $5.1 billion (2006 est.)

revenues

$19.71 billion

Capital

geographic coordinates

1 17 N, 103 51 E

name

Singapore

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Coastline

193 km

Constitution

3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution)

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Singapore

conventional short form

Singapore

local long form

Republic of Singapore

local short form

Singapore

Currency (code)

Singapore dollar (SGD)

Currency code

SGD

Current account balance

$35.58 billion (2006 est.)

Death rate

4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$24.3 billion (2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Patricia L. HERBOLD

embassy

27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

mailing address

FPO AP 96507-0001

telephone

[65] 6476-9100

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee

telephone

[1] (202) 537-3100

Disputes - international

disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, 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

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.5 (1998)

Economic aid - recipient

$NA

Economy - overview

Singapore, a highly-developed and successful free-market economy, enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP equal to that of the four largest West European countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics and information technology products. It was hard hit in 2001-03 by the global recession, by the slump in the technology sector, and by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, which curbed tourism and consumer spending. Fiscal stimulus, low interest rates, a surge in exports, and internal flexibility led to vigorous growth in 2004-06, with real GDP growth averaging 7% annually. The government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to the global demand cycle 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.

Electricity - consumption

30.35 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

32.64 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Bukit Timah 166 m

lowest point

Singapore Strait 0 m

Environment - current issues

industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)

Exchange rates

Singapore dollars per US dollar - 1.595 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003), 1.7906 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

appointed by president, responsible to parliament

chief of state

President S. R. NATHAN (since 1 September 1999)

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

elections

president elected by popular vote for six-year term; last appointed 17 August 2005 - see note (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

head of government

Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005)

note

uses S. R. NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN

Exports

$283.6 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, chemicals, mineral fuels

Exports - partners

Malaysia 14.7%, US 11.5%, Indonesia 10.7%, Hong Kong 10.4%, China 9.5%, Japan 6%, Thailand 4.5%, Australia 4.1% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 537-0876

[65] 6476-9340

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

San Francisco

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March Communications Singapore

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 Economy Singapore

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

0%

industry

33.8%

services

66.2% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$30,900 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7.4% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$121.5 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$138.6 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

1 22 N, 103 48 E

Geography - note

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes People Singapore

Government type

parliamentary republic

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

4,100 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$246.1 billion (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Malaysia 14.4%, US 12.4%, China 10.8%, Japan 10.1%, Indonesia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.7%, South Korea 4.5% (2005)

Independence

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

Industrial production growth rate

12.6% (2006 est.)

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

Infant mortality rate

female

2.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

2.5 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.29 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.sg

Internet hosts

898,762 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

9 (2000)

Internet users

2,421,800 (2005) Transportation Singapore

Investment (gross fixed)

21.8% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

NA

Judicial branch

Supreme 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

Labor force

2.4 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

manufacturing 18%, construction 18%, transportation and communication 11%, financial, business, and other services 6%, other 26% (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

1.47%

other

97.06% (2005)

permanent crops

1.47%

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)

Legal system

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral 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

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

elections

last held 6 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011)

Life expectancy at birth

female

84.49 years (2006 est.)

male

79.13 years

total population

81.71 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

88.6% (2002) Government Singapore

male

96.6%

total population

92.5%

Location

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49

1,215,568 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49

982,368 (2005 est.)

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

exclusive fishing zone

within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice

territorial sea

3 nm

Median age

female

37.6 years (2006 est.)

male

36.9 years

total

37.3 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 155, cargo 87, chemical tanker 136, container 214, liquefied gas 53, livestock carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 353, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier 40

foreign-owned

592 (Australia 7, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 12, China 23, Denmark 52, Germany 9, Greece 9, Hong Kong 50, India 5, Indonesia 56, Italy 2, Japan 100, South Korea 17, Malaysia 35, Netherlands 2, Norway 90, Philippines 5, Slovenia 1, Sweden 12, Taiwan 59, Thailand 22, UAE 7, UK 9, US 7)

registered in other countries

285 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 12, Belize 6, Bolivia 3, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 10, Cyprus 1, Dominica 9, France 2, Honduras 11, Hong Kong 24, Indonesia 17, Isle of Man 7, North Korea 1, Liberia 28, Malaysia 44, Marshall Islands 6, Mongolia 10, Nigeria 1, Panama 67, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Thailand 6, Tuvalu 6, US 2, unknown 2) (2006)

total

1,063 ships (1000 GRT or over) 31,033,735 GRT/49,715,650 DWT

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$4.47 billion (FY01 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

4.9% (FY01) Transnational Issues Singapore

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation reduced to 24 months beginning December 2004 (2004)

National holiday

National Day, 9 August (1965)

Nationality

adjective

Singapore

noun

Singaporean(s)

Natural gas - consumption

6.61 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

6.61 billion cu m

note

from Indonesia and Malaysia (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish, deepwater ports

Net migration rate

9.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

800,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

9,701 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Pipelines

gas 139 km; refined products 8 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM Swee Lian]

note

SDA includes National Solidarity Party or NSP, Singapore Justice Party or SJP, Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS, Singapore People's Party or SPP

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

4,492,150 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

1.42% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Singapore Military Singapore

Public debt

100.6% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 17, shortwave 2 (2003)

Radios

2.6 million (2000)

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)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$134.6 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

3,234 km (including 150 km of expressways) (2005)

total

3,234 km

Sex ratio

at birth

1.08 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

Singapore Armed Forces

Army, Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2006)

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Telephone system

domestic

excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005

general assessment

excellent service

international

country code - 65; 9 submarine cables provide direct connection to more than 100 countries; 4 satellite earth stations, supplemented by VSAT coverage

Telephones - main lines in use

1.848 million (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.385 million (2005)

Television broadcast stations

1 (broadcasting on six channels); additional reception of numerous UHF and VHF signals originating in Malaysia and Indonesia; note - digital TV for reception in public spaces and transportation is transmitted from 10 sites (2006)

Televisions

1.33 million (1997)

Terrain

lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve

Total fertility rate

1.06 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.1% (2006 est.)