2010 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

land

687 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

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, 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)

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

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

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

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 348,382/female 324,050) 15-64 years: 76.7% (male 1,737,972/female 1,833,415) 65 years and over: 8.9% (male 184,393/female 229,330) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

8.65 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

4.8 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

4,200 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

2.52 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.32 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

female

84.87 years (2010 est.)

male

79.45 years

total population

82.06 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

88.6% (2000 census)

male

96.6%

total population

92.5%

Median age

female

40 years (2010 est.)

male

39.1 years

total

39.6 years

Nationality

adjective

Singapore

noun

Singaporean(s)

Net migration rate

4.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

4,701,069 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

0.863% (2010 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)

Sex ratio

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.)

Total fertility rate

1.1 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

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

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

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

chancery

3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 537-0876

telephone

[1] (202) 537-3100

Executive branch

cabinet

appointed by president, responsible to parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

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

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

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

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)

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 organization participation

ADB, AOSIS, APEC, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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

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 9 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 on 6 May 2006 (next to be held by February 2012)

National anthem

lyrics/music

ZUBIR Said note: adopted 1965; the anthem, which was first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, is sung only in Malay

name

"Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)

National holiday

National Day, 9 August (1965)

Political parties and leaders

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

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.38% (31 December 2009 est.) 5.38% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$40.44 billion (2010 est.) $32.63 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$21.66 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $20.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

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 6.9% between 2004 and 2008. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but rebounded nearly 15% in 2010, on the strength of renewed exports. 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.

Electricity - consumption

37.94 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

41.72 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.3702 (2010), 1.4545 (2009), 1.415 (2008), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006)

Exports

$358.3 billion (2010 est.) $273.4 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Hong Kong 11.6%, Malaysia 11.5%, US 11.2%, Indonesia 9.7%, China 9.7%, Japan 4.6%, Hong Kong 11.6% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

0%

industry

27.2%

services

72.8% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$62,200 (2010 est.) $54,700 (2009 est.) $56,100 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

14.6% (2010 est.) -1.3% (2009 est.) 1.8% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$217.4 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$292.2 billion (2010 est.) $255 billion (2009 est.) $258.3 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 23.2% (2008)

Imports

$315.6 billion (2010 est.) $243.2 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 14.7%, Malaysia 11.6%, China 10.5%, Japan 7.6%, Indonesia 5.8%, South Korea 5.7%, Taiwan 5.22% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

10.2% (2010 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)

2.6% (2010 est.) 0.6% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

27.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.09 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

0%

industry

23.8%

services

76.2% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$474.8 billion (31 December 2009) $268.6 billion (31 December 2008) $353.5 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

8.27 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

8.27 billion cu m note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

878,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

1.289 million bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

2.109 million bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

9,667 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

102.4% of GDP (2010 est.) 110% of GDP (2009 est.) note: 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-tradeable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$212.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $187.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$295.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $255.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$172.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $167.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$274.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $260.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$199.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $166.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$80.5 billion (31 December 2010 est) $64.26 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

2.3% (2010 est.) 3% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

state controls broadcast media; 8 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp, wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV service is accessible; 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; large number of Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available (2008)

Internet country code

.sg

Internet hosts

992,786 (2010)

Internet users

3.235 million (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is more than 180 telephones per 100 persons

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 (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.852 million (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.652 million (2009)

Airports

8 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

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 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 183, cargo 88, carrier 6, chemical tanker 233, container 321, liquefied gas 117, petroleum tanker 404, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 13, vehicle carrier 52

foreign-owned

850 (Australia 11, Bangladesh 2, Bermuda 21, Chile 7, China 26, Cyprus 3, Denmark 125, France 3, Germany 30, Greece 19, Hong Kong 38, India 19, Indonesia 53, Italy 3, Japan 146, Malaysia 27, Netherlands 1, Norway 132, Slovenia 1, South Africa 3, South Korea 9, Sweden 9, Switzerland 4, Taiwan 79, Thailand 30, UAE 10, UK 6, US 33)

registered in other countries

327 (Australia 2, Bahamas 7, Bangladesh 3, Belize 7, Cambodia 4, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, France 3, Gibraltar 1, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 13, Indonesia 42, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 11, Liberia 27, Malaysia 19, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 28, Mongolia 1, North Korea 2, Panama 79, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Sierra Leone 5, Thailand 1, Tuvalu 25, US 17, unknown 6) (2010)

total

1,422

Pipelines

gas 106 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Singapore

Roadways

paved

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

males age 16-49: 1,266,426 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,027,701 females age 16-49: 1,097,762 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

25,918 (2010 est.)

male

27,430

Military branches

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 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

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 page last updated on January 19, 2011 ======================================================================