2012 Edition

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.

Area

697 sq km 687 sq km 10 sq km

total

697 sq km

water

10 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

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

Elevation extremes

Singapore Strait 0 m Bukit Timah 166 m

highest point

Bukit Timah 166 m

lowest point

Singapore Strait 0 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution none of the selected 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%) 44 cu m/yr (1975)

per capita

44 cu m/yr (1975)

total

0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%)

Geographic coordinates

1 22 N, 103 48 E

Geography - note

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

1.47% 1.47% 97.06% (2005)

arable land

1.47%

other

97.06% (2005)

permanent crops

1.47%

Location

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

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

exclusive fishing zone

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

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish, deepwater ports

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

0.6 cu km (1975)

Age structure

14% (male 382,537/ female 364,542) 78.3% (male 2,057,169/ female 2,133,851) 7.8% (male 187,448/ female 227,947) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

14% (male 382,537/ female 364,542)

15-64 years

78.3% (male 2,057,169/ female 2,133,851)

65 years and over

7.8% (male 187,448/ female 227,947) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

7.72 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.3% (2000)

Death rate

3.41 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

3% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,400 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.14 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

2.65 deaths/1,000 live births 2.76 deaths/1,000 live births 2.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

2.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

2.65 deaths/1,000 live births

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)

Life expectancy at birth

83.75 years 81.47 years 86.2 years (2012 est.)

female

86.2 years (2012 est.)

total population

83.75 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 92.5% 96.6% 88.6% (2000 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

88.6% (2000 census)

male

96.6%

total population

92.5%

Maternal mortality rate

3 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

33.5 years 33.4 years 33.6 years (2012 est.)

female

33.6 years (2012 est.)

male

33.4 years

total

33.5 years

Nationality

Singaporean(s) Singapore

adjective

Singapore

noun

Singaporean(s)

Net migration rate

15.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

6.9% (2004)

Physicians density

1.833 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

5,353,494 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.993% (2012 est.)

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)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population total: 100% of population

total

100% of population

urban

100% of population

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.82 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

0.78 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

12.9% 9.9% 16.6% (2009)

female

16.6% (2009)

total

12.9%

Urbanization

100% of total population (2010) 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

Singapore 1 17 N, 103 51 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

1 17 N, 103 51 E

name

Singapore

time difference

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

Constitution

3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore constitution)

Country name

Republic of Singapore Singapore Republic of Singapore Singapore

conventional long form

Republic of Singapore

conventional short form

Singapore

local long form

Republic of Singapore

local short form

Singapore

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador David I. ADELMAN 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 FPO AP 96507-0001 [65] 6476-9100 [65] 6476-9340

chief of mission

Ambassador David I. ADELMAN

embassy

27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

FAX

[65] 6476-9340

mailing address

FPO AP 96507-0001

telephone

[65] 6476-9100

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 537-3100 [1] (202) 537-0876 San Francisco New York

chancery

3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 537-0876

telephone

[1] (202) 537-3100

Executive branch

President Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 September 2011) 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) appointed by president, responsible to parliament 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 Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president from a field of four candidates with 35.2% of the votes cast

cabinet

appointed by president, responsible to parliament

chief of state

President Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 September 2011)

election results

Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president from a field of four candidates with 35.2% of the votes cast

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

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)

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

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court consists of High Court and Court of Appeals; Specialist Commercial Courts consist of Admiralty Court, Intellectual Property Court, and Abritation Court (chief justice, judges of appeal, and judicial commissioners are appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister)

Legal system

English common law

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; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as Nominated Members of Parliament (NMP) last held on 7 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2016) percent of vote by party - PAP 60.1%, WP 12.8%, NSP 12.1%, others 15%; seats by party - PAP 81, WP 6

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

elections

last held on 7 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2016)

National anthem

"Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore) ZUBIR Said adopted 1965; the anthem, which was first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, is sung only in Malay

lyrics/music

ZUBIR Said

name

"Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)

National holiday

National Day, 9 August (1965)

National symbol(s)

lion

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 People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong]; Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Khiang] SDA includes Singapore Justice Party or SJP and Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish

Budget

$39.86 billion $39.58 billion expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2012 est.)

expenditures

$39.58 billion

revenues

$39.86 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.4% (31 December 2012 est.) 5.38% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$44.87 billion (2012 est.) $50.16 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$24.64 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $23.62 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

47.3 (2011) 48.1 (2008)

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 1.0% 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 4.9% in 2011 and 2.1% 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 a compound annual growth rate of just 1.8% 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.

Exchange rates

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.253 (2012 est.) 1.258 (2011 est.) 1.3635 (2010 est.) 1.4545 (2009) 1.415 (2008)

Exports

$430.6 billion (2012 est.) $414.8 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 11%, Indonesia 10.4%, China 10.4%, US 5.5%, Japan 4.5% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition by sector

0% 27.8% 72.2% (2010 est.)

agriculture

0%

industry

27.8%

services

72.2% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$60,900 (2012 est.) $60,700 (2011 est.) $58,900 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.1% (2012 est.) 4.9% (2011 est.) 14.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$267.9 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$326.7 billion (2012 est.) $320 billion (2011 est.) $305.1 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4.4% 23.2% (2008)

highest 10%

23.2% (2008)

lowest 10%

4.4%

Imports

$390.4 billion (2012 est.) $366.3 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 10.8%, Malaysia 10.7%, China 10.4%, Japan 7.2%, South Korea 5.9%, Indonesia 5.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.8% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

7.8% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.4% (2012 est.) 5.2% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

24.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

3.303 million excludes non-residents (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

0.1% 19.6% 80.3% excludes non-residents (2011)

agriculture

0.1%

industry

19.6%

services

80.3%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$569.4 billion (31 December 2011) $620.5 billion (31 December 2010) $474.3 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

106.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 118.2% of GDP (2011 est.) 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$253.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $237.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$400.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $340.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$353.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $335.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$522.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $497 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$278.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $235.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$120.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $99.27 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

2% (2012 est.) 2% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

172.2 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

900 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

883,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

41.2 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

10.47 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

45.37 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

8.4 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

8.4 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.183 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

1.58 million bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1.489 million bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.116 million bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state controls broadcast media; 7 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 (2008)

Internet country code

.sg

Internet hosts

1.96 million (2012)

Internet users

3.235 million (2009)

Telephone system

excellent service 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 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

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

general assessment

excellent service

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

Telephones - main lines in use

2.017 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.794 million (2011)

Airports

9 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2012)

over 3,047 m

2

total

9

Merchant marine

1,599 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 57 966 (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) 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)

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)

total

1,599

Pipelines

gas 111 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Singapore

Roadways

3,356 km 3,356 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2009)

total

3,356 km

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

Manpower available for military service

1,255,902 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,255,902 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

1,018,839 1,087,134 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,087,134 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,018,839

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

27,098 25,368 (2010 est.)

female

25,368 (2010 est.)

male

27,098

Military branches

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2010)

Singapore Armed Forces

Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2010)

Military expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

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)

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