2016 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony 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.
Geography
Area
- 697 sq km 687 sq km 10 sq km
- 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
- 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
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
NA
Natural resources
fish, deepwater ports
Terrain
lowlying, gently undulating central plateau
People and Society
Age structure
- 12.94% (male 382,479/female 365,595) 17.02% (male 484,355/female 499,940) 50.45% (male 1,420,833/female 1,496,125) 10.34% (male 299,446/female 298,562) 9.24% (male 243,418/female 290,975) (2016 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 12.94% (male 382,479/female 365,595)
- 15-24 years
- 17.02% (male 484,355/female 499,940)
- 25-54 years
- 50.45% (male 1,420,833/female 1,496,125)
- 55-64 years
- 10.34% (male 299,446/female 298,562)
- 65 years and over
- 9.24% (male 243,418/female 290,975) (2016 est.)
Birth rate
8.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Death rate
3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Dependency ratios
- 37.4% 21.4% 16.1% 6.2% (2015 est.)
- elderly dependency ratio
- 16.1%
- potential support ratio
- 6.2% (2015 est.)
- total dependency ratio
- 37.4%
- youth dependency ratio
- 21.4%
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 74.2%, Malay 13.3%, Indian 9.2%, other 3.3% (2013 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 (2016 est.)
- female
- 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 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 years 82.3 years 87.8 years (2016 est.)
- female
- 87.8 years (2016 est.)
- male
- 82.3 years
- total population
- 85 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 96.8% 98.6% 95% (2015 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 95% (2015 est.)
- male
- 98.6%
- total population
- 96.8%
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
- 34.3 years 34.2 years 34.4 years (2016 est.)
- female
- 34.4 years (2016 est.)
- male
- 34.2 years
- total
- 34.3 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
30.5 median age (2015 est.)
Nationality
- Singaporean(s) Singapore
- adjective
- Singapore
- noun
- Singaporean(s)
Net migration rate
13.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
6.8% (2014)
Physicians density
1.95 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
Population
5,781,728 (July 2016 est.)
Population growth rate
1.86% (2016 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
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
0.82 children born/woman (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 7% 5.4% 9% (2013)
- female
- 9% (2013)
- male
- 5.4%
- total
- 7%
Urbanization
- 100% of total population (2015) 2.02% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 2.02% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 100% of total population (2015)
Government
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 Kirk W. WAGAR (since 25 September 2013) 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 FPO AP 96507-0001 [65] 6476-9100 [65] 6476-9340
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Kirk W. WAGAR (since 25 September 2013)
- 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 24 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 24 July 2012)
- 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 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 by August 2017); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president; 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 Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 September 2011)
- election results
- Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president; 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 by August 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 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 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 [LIM Tean] People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong] Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan] Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Khiang]
Political pressure groups and leaders
none
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal and compulsory
Economy
Agriculture - products
orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish
Budget
- $46.23 billion $44.48 billion expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2015 est.)
- expenditures
- $44.48 billion
- note
- expenditures include both operational and development expenditures (2015 est.)
- revenues
- $46.23 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
0.6% of GDP (2015 est.)
Central bank discount rate
0.25% (2014) 0.07% (2013)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
5.35% (31 December 2015 est.) 5.35% (31 December 2014 est.)
Current account balance
$57.56 billion (2015 est.) $53.18 billion (2014 est.)
Debt - external
$465.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $479.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
46.4 (2014) 46.3 (2013)
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 on the strength of renewed exports. Growth in 2014-15 was slower at under 3%, 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, and increasing Singaporean wages. Singapore has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and high-tech hub. Singapore is a member of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, as well as 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 - 1.3748 (2015 est.) 1.2671 (2014 est.) 1.2671 (2013 est.) 1.25 (2012 est.) 1.258 (2011 est.)
Exports
$377.1 billion (2015 est.) $437.8 billion (2014 est.)
Exports - commodities
machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products, foodstuffs and beverages
Exports - partners
China 13.7%, Hong Kong 11.5%, Malaysia 10.8%, Indonesia 8.2%, US 6.9%, Japan 4.4%, South Korea 4.1% (2015)
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
GDP - composition, by end use
- 36.7% 10.4% 25.5% 0.5% 176.5% -149.6% (2015 est.)
- exports of goods and services
- 176.5%
- government consumption
- 10.4%
- household consumption
- 36.7%
- imports of goods and services
- -149.6% (2015 est.)
- investment in fixed capital
- 25.5%
- investment in inventories
- 0.5%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- 0% 26.4% 73.6% (2014 est.)
- agriculture
- 0%
- industry
- 26.4%
- services
- 73.6% (2014 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
- $85,300 (2015 est.) $84,600 (2014 est.) $83,000 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
- note
- data are in 2015 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
2% (2015 est.) 3.3% (2014 est.) 4.7% (2013 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$292.7 billion (2015 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $471.9 billion (2015 est.) $462.6 billion (2014 est.) $448 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
- note
- data are in 2015 US dollars
Gross national saving
46.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 46.4% of GDP (2014 est.) 48.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 2.3% 11% (2014)
- highest 10%
- 11% (2014)
- lowest 10%
- 2.3%
Imports
$294.5 billion (2015 est.) $358.2 billion (2014 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners
China 14.2%, US 11.2%, Malaysia 11.2%, Japan 6.3%, South Korea 6.1%, Indonesia 4.8% (2015)
Industrial production growth rate
-3.4% (2015 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% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.)
Labor force
- 3.611 million excludes non-residents (2015 est.)
- note
- excludes non-residents (2015 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 1.3% 14.8% 83.9% excludes non-residents (2013)
- agriculture
- 1.3%
- industry
- 14.8%
- note
- excludes non-residents (2013)
- services
- 83.9%
Market value of publicly traded shares
$787.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $751.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $747.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Population below poverty line
NA%
Public debt
- 104.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 99.8% of GDP (2014 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
$247.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $256.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of broad money
$413.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $405.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$625.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $626.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$978.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $962.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$344.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $372.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$113.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $121.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
15.8% of GDP (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate
1.9% (2015 est.) 2% (2014 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
216 million Mt (2013 est.)
Crude oil - exports
11,100 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil - imports
895,400 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)
Electricity - consumption
47.18 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
95.3% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
3.9% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
Electricity - imports
0 kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
13 million kW (2014 est.)
Electricity - production
49.31 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity access
- 100% (2016)
- electrification - total population
- 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption
10.9 billion cu m (2014 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2013 est.)
Natural gas - imports
10.9 billion cu m (2014 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2013 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
1.292 million bbl/day (2014 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
1.697 million bbl/day (2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
2.035 million bbl/day (2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
1.02 million bbl/day (2013 est.)
Communications
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
- 4.659 million 82.1% (July 2015 est.)
- percent of population
- 82.1% (July 2015 est.)
- total
- 4.659 million
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 (2015)
- 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 (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines
- 2,021,500 36 (July 2015 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 36 (July 2015 est.)
- total subscriptions
- 2,021,500
Telephones - mobile cellular
- 8.211 million 145 (July 2015 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 145 (July 2015 est.)
- total
- 8.211 million
Transportation
Airports
9 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
- 1 (2013)
- 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 (2013)
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 (31,649,400) Singapore
- container port(s) (TEUs)
- Singapore (31,649,400)
- 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
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; in 2014, 8 commercial vessels were attacked in the Singapore Straits
Military and Security
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
3.52% of GDP (2012) 3.47% of GDP (2011) 3.52% of GDP (2010)
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)
Transnational Issues
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