Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
CIA - The World Factbook The World Factbook Home
CIA - The World Factbook
East & Southeast Asia :: Singapore
page last updated on May 4, 2010
Flag of Singapore
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Singapore
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Singapore
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Singapore
 
Navigation Arrow view 1 photo Opens in New Window
of Singapore
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 22 N, 103 48 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 697 sq km
country comparison to the world: 192
land: 687 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
193 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Current Weather
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fish, deepwater ports
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 1.47%
permanent crops: 1.47%
other: 97.06% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.6 cu km (1975)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%)
per capita: 44 cu m/yr (1975)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
Back to Top
People ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,701,069 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 14.1% (male 343,424/female 319,277)
15-64 years: 76.9% (male 1,758,670/female 1,856,862)
65 years and over: 9% (male 188,667/female 234,169) (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 39.6 years
male: 39.1 years
female: 40 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.863% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.65 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.077 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2.32 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 223
male: 2.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 82.06 years
country comparison to the world: 6
male: 79.45 years
female: 84.87 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.1 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fewer than 200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Singaporean(s)
adjective: Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.5%
male: 96.6%
female: 88.6% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.7% of GDP (2001)
country comparison to the world: 122
Back to Top
Government ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Republic of Singapore
conventional short form: Singapore
local long form: Republic of Singapore
local short form: Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
parliamentary republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Singapore
geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
National Day, 9 August (1965)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21 years of age; universal and compulsory
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President S R NATHAN (since 1 September 1999)
note: uses S R NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN
head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Huan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005)
cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president
election results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN was appointed president in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified three other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to 9 nominated members; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as "nonconstituency" members
elections: last held on 6 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Reform Party [NG Teck Siong]; 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 Singapore Justice Party or SJP, Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS, Singapore People's Party or SPP
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ADB, AOSIS, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
consulate(s) general: San Francisco
consulate(s): New York
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador David ADELMAN
embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508
mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001
telephone: [65] 6476-9100
FAX: [65] 6476-9340
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Economy ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 6.8% between 2004 and 2008, but contracted 2.1% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis. The economy has begun to rebound in 2010 and the government predicts growth of 3-5% for the year. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that focuses on raising productivity growth, which has sunk to 1% per year 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.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$235.7 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$240.7 billion (2008 est.)
$238.1 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$165 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-2.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
1.1% (2008 est.)
7.8% (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$50,300 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$52,200 (2008 est.)
$52,300 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 0%
industry: 26.8%
services: 73.2% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.03 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 0%
industry: 23.8%
services: 76.2% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
2.2% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 4.4%
highest 10%: 23.2% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
48.1 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 29
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29.9% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $21.29 billion
expenditures: $24.14 billion
note: expenditures exclude public debt, financial transfers, and development estimates (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
117.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
99.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
6.5% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.38% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
5.38% (31 December 2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$52.57 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 22
$44.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$179 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
$162.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$143.6 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 36
$129.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$474.8 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
$268.6 billion (31 December 2008)
$353.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-4.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
41.72 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
37.94 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8,553 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
934,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.289 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.109 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.27 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.27 billion cu m
country comparison to the world: 26
note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$26.22 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$26.9 billion (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$268.9 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$342.7 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Hong Kong 11.6%, Malaysia 11.5%, US 11.2%, Indonesia 9.7%, China 9.7%, Japan 4.6% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$245 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$318.7 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
US 14.7%, Malaysia 11.6%, China 10.5%, Japan 7.6%, Indonesia 5.8%, South Korea 5.7% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$187.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$174.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$19.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$25.52 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$264.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
$250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$177.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$202.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.4545 (2009), 1.415 (2008), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006), 1.6644 (2005)
Back to Top
Communications ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.857 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 59
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.375 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 77
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: excellent service
domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 175 telephones per 100 persons
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 (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AM 0, FM 19, shortwave 1 (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 (broadcasting on 8 channels); additional reception of numerous UHF and VHF signals originating in Malaysia and Indonesia (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.sg
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
864,943 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 43
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.37 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 55
Back to Top
Transportation ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 164
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 8
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 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
gas 106 km (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 3,325 km
country comparison to the world: 163
paved: 3,325 km (includes 161 km of expressways) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1,292
country comparison to the world: 5
by type: bulk carrier 167, cargo 87, carrier 5, chemical tanker 209, container 273, liquefied gas 96, petroleum tanker 386, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 53
foreign-owned: 774 (Australia 12, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 8, Chile 6, China 14, Cyprus 1, Denmark 87, France 1, Germany 24, Greece 15, Hong Kong 47, India 13, Indonesia 66, Italy 5, Japan 131, South Korea 3, Malaysia 27, Norway 143, Slovenia 1, Sweden 20, Switzerland 2, Taiwan 72, Thailand 23, UAE 12, UK 17, US 22)
registered in other countries: 331 (Australia 1, Bahamas 17, Belize 2, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 10, Comoros 1, Cyprus 3, Dominica 7, France 2, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 18, Indonesia 27, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 4, Liberia 32, Malaysia 16, Marshall Islands 18, Mongolia 9, Norway 1, Panama 100, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Thailand 2, Tuvalu 23, US 12, unknown 2) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Military ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 1,266,426 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 1,027,701
females age 16-49: 1,097,762 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 27,430
female: 25,918 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Singapore
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 awards sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but does 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.