NDR 2026: Singapore’s multiracial character will endure even as country stays open to newcomers, says PM Wong

“That’s why being Singaporean has never been about ancestry or where your family first came from,” he said.

“It has always been about commitment. A commitment to put Singapore first, a commitment to our values and way of life, and a belief that, whatever our backgrounds, our future is ours to build together.”

FOREIGN WORKFORCE

Singapore is no longer the fragile nation it was in 1965, Mr Wong said, but it remains a small country navigating a more turbulent world.

When people come to Singapore, embrace its ideals and make the pledge their own, they do not weaken the country’s identity but strengthen it, bringing fresh perspectives and energy, he said.

The government’s aim is to refresh the citizen population at a measured and sustainable pace while managing the size of the foreign workforce, he said. Singapore welcomes foreign manpower to complement the local workforce, but does so in a “careful and controlled” way.

“We will always ensure that Singaporeans remain the majority in our own country,” said the prime minister, adding that Singapore’s overall population and labour force will grow more slowly in the coming years as a result.

Businesses often ask the government to ease foreign worker policies, especially in the service sector, arguing that these are jobs Singaporeans do not want to do, Mr Wong said.

“But work permit holders are already the largest group of foreign pass holders in Singapore. So even a modest easing of our policies could lead to a significant increase in numbers. And that’s not the path we want to take.”

Singapore must adapt to these realities, with more growth to come from technology, productivity and enabling every Singaporean to reach their full potential, said Mr Wong.

The country’s population will continue to evolve as newcomers join society and new generations grow up together, he added.

“But what makes us Singaporean will endure. Our shared identity and values, our commitment to one another, and our pledge, which binds us together as one united people.”