Singapore Needs Citizens

29 Jan 2013

Demographics in the city state are putting certain conditions on the polity, by which those aspiring for citizenship or seeking Permanent Residence are going to benefit.

The math of demographics is such that the City state has to add 15,000 to 25,000 citizens each year to keep the polity going.   Not only that, some 500,000 to 600,000 people need to be given Permanent Resident status to maintain the demographic balance.

A government white paper on the subject makes it necessary that the city state has a population of 6.5 million to 6.9 million by 2030. The population will comprise 4.2 to 4.4 million, of whom 3.6 to 3.8 million will be citizens and the rest Permanent Residents. Non-resident s’ number will be about 2.3 to 2.5 million. 

How the city state is going to accommodate the population is also a big question. If it has to grow vertical, it has more than done so. The only way it may be able to house all is perhaps by reclamation.

Economy-wise Singapore has been helping itself out as also intervening effectively in the region. In housing too, the city state may find solutions necessary for accommodating the much-needed population.