2017 Edition

Background

A Malay trading port known as Temasek existed on the island of Singapore by the 14th century. The settlement changed hands several times in the ensuing centuries and was eventually burned in the 17th century and fell into obscurity. The British founded Singapore as a trading colony on the site in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted 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

719.2 sq km 709.2 sq km 10 sq km

land

709.2 sq km

total

719.2 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

NA lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m

highest point

Bukit Timah 166 m

mean elevation

NA

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

Geographic coordinates

1 22 N, 103 48 E

Geography - note

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes; consists of about 60 islands, by far the largest of which is Pulau Ujong; land reclamation has removed many former islands and created a number of new ones

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

1% arable land 0.9%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 0% 3.3% 95.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

1%

forest

3.3%

other

95.7% (2011 est.)

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

flash floods

Natural resources

fish, deepwater ports

Population - distribution

most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas

Terrain

lowlying, gently undulating central plateau

Age structure

12.82% (male 386,139/female 368,874) 16.56% (male 479,683/female 495,649) 50.53% (male 1,448,463/female 1,527,038) 10.46% (male 308,477/female 307,557) 9.63% (male 258,597/female 308,449) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

12.82% (male 386,139/female 368,874)

15-24 years

16.56% (male 479,683/female 495,649)

25-54 years

50.53% (male 1,448,463/female 1,527,038)

55-64 years

10.46% (male 308,477/female 307,557)

65 years and over

9.63% (male 258,597/female 308,449) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

8.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

37.3 21.3 6.2 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

16

potential support ratio

6.2 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

37.3

youth dependency ratio

21.3

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Chinese 74.3%, Malay 13.4%, Indian 9.1% (includes Sri Lankan), other 3.2% (2016 est.)

Health expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

2.4 deaths/1,000 live births 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

2.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Mandarin (official) 36.3%, English (official) 29.8%, Malay (official) 11.9%, Hokkien 8.1%, Cantonese 4.1%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, Teochew 3.2%, other Indian languages 1.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.1%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

85.2 years 82.6 years 88.1 years (2017 est.)

female

88.1 years (2017 est.)

male

82.6 years

total population

85.2 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97% 98.7% 98.2% (2016 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.2% (2016 est.)

male

98.7%

total population

97%

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

SINGAPORE (capital) 5.619 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

34.6 years 34.5 years 34.7 years (2017 est.)

female

34.7 years (2017 est.)

male

34.5 years

total

34.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.5 years median age (2015 est.)

Nationality

Singaporean(s) Singapore

adjective

Singapore

noun

Singaporean(s)

Net migration rate

13.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

6.1% (2016)

Physicians density

1.91 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

5,888,926 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas

Population growth rate

1.82% (2017 est.)

Religions

Buddhist 33.9%, Muslim 14.3%, Taoist 11.3%, Catholic 7.1%, Hindu 5.2%, other Christian 11%, other 0.7%, none 16.4% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2009)

female

13 years (2009)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.97 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.83 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

0.83 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

6.6% 5.6% 7.7% (2015 est.)

female

7.7% (2015 est.)

male

5.6%

total

6.6%

Urbanization

100% of total population (2017) 1.5% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.5% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2017)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore no 10 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965; amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Singapore Singapore Republic of Singapore Singapore name derives from the Sanskrit words "singa" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol

conventional long form

Republic of Singapore

conventional short form

Singapore

etymology

name derives from the Sanskrit words "singa" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol

local long form

Republic of Singapore

local short form

Singapore

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephanie SYPTAK-RAMNATH (since 20 January 2017) 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 FPO AP 96507-0001 [65] 6476-9100 [65] 6476-9340

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephanie SYPTAK-RAMNATH (since 20 January 2017)

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 (since 30 July 2012) 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 (since 30 July 2012)

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 537-0876

telephone

[1] (202) 537-3100

Executive branch

President Halimah YACOB (since 14 September 2017); note - President TAN's term ended on 31 August 2017; YACOB is Singapore's first female president; the head of the Council of Presidential Advisors, J.Y. PILLAY, served as acting president until YACOB was sworn in as president on 14 September 2017 Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Ministers TEO Chee Hean (since 1 April 2009) and Tharman SHANMUGARATNAM (since 21 May 2011) Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held on 27 August 2011 (next to be held on 23 September 2017); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Halimah YACOB was declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate; Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president in the previous contested election; percent of vote - Tony TAN Keng Yam (independent) 35.2% , TAN Cheng Bock (independent) 34.9%, TAN Jee Say (independent) 25%, TAN Kin Lian (PP) 4.9%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament

chief of state

President Halimah YACOB (since 14 September 2017); note - President TAN's term ended on 31 August 2017; YACOB is Singapore's first female president; the head of the Council of Presidential Advisors, J.Y. PILLAY, served as acting president until YACOB was sworn in as president on 14 September 2017

election results

Halimah YACOB was declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate; Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president in the previous contested election; percent of vote - Tony TAN Keng Yam (independent) 35.2% , TAN Cheng Bock (independent) 34.9%, TAN Jee Say (independent) 25%, TAN Kin Lian (PP) 4.9%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held on 27 August 2011 (next to be held on 23 September 2017); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Ministers TEO Chee Hean (since 1 April 2009) and 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, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the president or chief justice and 16 justices and is organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court) all judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; justices appointed for life district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the president or chief justice and 16 justices and is organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court)

judge selection and term of office

all judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; justices appointed for life

subordinate courts

district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 89 members directly elected by popular vote, 9 nominated by the president, and up to 9 - but currently 3 - non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 11 September 2015 (next to be held in 2020) percent of vote by party - PAP 69.9%, WP 12.5%, other 17.6%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 6

description

unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 89 members directly elected by popular vote, 9 nominated by the president, and up to 9 - but currently 3 - non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - PAP 69.9%, WP 12.5%, other 17.6%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 6

elections

last held on 11 September 2015 (next to be held in 2020)

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

ZUBIR Said

name

"Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)

note

adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay

National holiday

National Day, 9 August (1965)

National symbol(s)

lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white

lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

National Solidarity Party or NSP People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong] Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [Dr. CHEE Soon Juan] Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Khiang]

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$49.2 billion $52.78 billion expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2016 est.)

expenditures

$52.78 billion

note

expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2016 est.)

revenues

$49.2 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.17% (2016 est.) 1.21% (2015 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.35% (31 December 2016 est.) 5.35% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$56.5 billion (2016 est.) $53.76 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$504.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $489 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.8 (2016) 46.3 (2015)

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. Unemployment is very low. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly of consumer electronics, information technology products, medical and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on its vibrant transportation, business, and financial services sectors. The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since 2010. Growth in 2014-16 was slower than during the previous decade, at under 3% annually, largely a result of soft demand for exports amid a sluggish global economy and weak growth in Singapore’s manufacturing sector. The government is attempting to restructure Singapore’s economy by weaning its dependence on foreign labor, addressing weak productivity growth, and increasing Singaporean wages. Singapore has attracted major investments in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and technology hub. Singapore is a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations with the nine other ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. In 2015, Singapore formed, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN Economic Community.

Exchange rates

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.3815 (2016 est.) 1.3815 (2015 est.) 1.3748 (2014 est.) 1.2671 (2013 est.) 1.25 (2012 est.)

Exports

$361.6 billion (2016 est.) $379.6 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products, foodstuffs and beverages

Exports - partners

China 12.8%, Hong Kong 12.6%, Malaysia 10.5%, Indonesia 7.8%, US 6.8%, Japan 4.5%, South Korea 4.4% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

36.5% 11.3% 24.9% 1.5% 172.1% -146.3% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

172.1%

government consumption

11.3%

household consumption

36.5%

imports of goods and services

-146.3% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

24.9%

investment in inventories

1.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0% 26.2% 73.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

0%

industry

26.2%

services

73.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$87,800 (2016 est.) $87,200 (2015 est.) $86,600 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2016 est.) 1.9% (2015 est.) 3.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$297 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$492.5 billion (2016 est.) $476.8 billion (2015 est.) $462.7 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

44.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 44.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 48.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.7% 26% (2016)

highest 10%

26% (2016)

lowest 10%

1.7%

Imports

$278.8 billion (2016 est.) $296.7 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 14.3%, Malaysia 11.4%, US 10.8%, Japan 7%, South Korea 6.1%, Indonesia 4.8% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

2.8% (2016 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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.5% (2016 est.) -0.5% (2015 est.)

Labor force

3.673 million excludes non-residents (2016 est.)

note

excludes non-residents (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

0.96% 15.5% 83.5% excludes non-residents (2016)

agriculture

0.96%

industry

15.5%

note

excludes non-residents (2016)

services

83.5%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$654.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $640 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $752.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

112.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 103.2% of GDP (2015 est.) Singapore's 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; Singapore has no external public debt

note

Singapore's 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; Singapore has no external public debt

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$246.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $247.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$388.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $367.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$682.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $651.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.096 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.082 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$383.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $344.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$119.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $113.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.1% (2016 est.) 1.9% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

205 million Mt (2015 est.)

Crude oil - exports

11,460 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

831,300 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

46.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

98.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

13.28 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

47.48 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

19.73 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

250 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

12.37 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2015 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.34 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

1.718 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2.153 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

955,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

state controls broadcast media; 8 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

Internet country code

.sg

Internet users

4,683,200 81.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

81.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

4,683,200

Telephone system

excellent service excellent domestic facilities; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity more than 180 telephones per 100 persons; multiple providers of high-speed Internet connectivity 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 (2016)

domestic

excellent domestic facilities; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity more than 180 telephones per 100 persons; multiple providers of high-speed Internet connectivity

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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

2,003,200 35 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

35 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

2,003,200

Telephones - mobile cellular

8,399,700 145 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

145 (July 2016 est.)

total

8,399,700

Airports

9 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1

over 3,047 m

2

total

9

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9V (2016)

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)

by type

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

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

National air transport system

33,290,544 6,154,365,275 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

6,154,365,275 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

33,290,544

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

197

number of registered air carriers

5

Pipelines

gas 122 km; refined products 8 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Singapore Singapore (30,922,000) (2015) Singapore

container port(s) (TEUs)

Singapore (30,922,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Singapore

major seaport(s)

Singapore

Roadways

3,425 km 3,425 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2012)

paved

3,425 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2012)

total

3,425 km

Maritime threats

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; in the Singapore Straits there were nine attacks against commercial vessels in 2015, declining to only two attacks in 2016

Military branches

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2013)

Singapore Armed Forces

Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2013)

Military expenditures

3.35% of GDP (2016) 3.16% of GDP (2015) 3.11% of GDP (2014) 3.09% of GDP (2013) 3.17% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 1/2 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2012)

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, including carrying out death sentences; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering