fell to a record low of 0.87 in 2025,<\/span><\/a> and he warned that the citizen population could start shrinking by the early 2040s without new interventions. <\/p>\nDPM Gan committed to continued support for Singaporeans to start families \u2013 which he described as a \u201ctop priority\u201d \u2013 but also laid out a plan for \u201ccarefully managed immigration flow\u201d to augment the dismal birth rate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Depending on demographic trends, the Government expects to grant 25,000 to 30,000 new citizenships annually over the next five years \u2013 which means from 17 per cent to 41 per cent more than the average of 21,300 new citizenships granted annually between 2020 and 2024.<\/p>\n
The number of permanent residents (PRs) will also see a 21 per cent bump \u2013 from an average of 33,000 a year between 2020 and 2024, to about 40,000 a year in the next five years. Individuals must be PRs for at least two years before they can apply for citizenship.<\/p>\n
In 2025, about 25,000 individuals became Singaporeans, while about 35,000 became PRs.<\/p>\n
These moves reflect the Government\u2019s belief that immigration is crucial to sustain the economy amid a low birth rate. <\/p>\n
Apart from a shrinking workforce, there are also concerns about weakening family support networks for an ageing population.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith fewer citizens, it will become increasingly difficult to meet our national security and defence needs. This raises the deeper question of what Singapore will be 50 or 100 years from now \u2013 will we remain vibrant, liveable and relevant? Will we exist?\u201d said DPM Gan.<\/p>\n
Concerns surrounding a growing number of foreigners have surfaced over the years, including in 2011 when anti-immigrant sentiment amid large numbers of newcomers contributed to the ruling party\u2019s first-ever group representation constituency loss in the general election, said observers.<\/p>\n
Institute of Policy Studies\u2019 (IPS) Social Lab adjunct principal research fellow Tan Ern Ser said some Singaporeans felt that the actual and perceived competition for jobs and amenities had turned them into \u201csecond-class citizens\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dr Tan said that this later led to tightened immigration controls and a concerted emphasis on a Singaporean core and policies that stress the privileges of citizenship, which include subsidised healthcare, education and housing.<\/p>\n
In his February speech, DPM Gan said the Government will manage the pace of immigration to ensure that the development of public infrastructure, such as housing and transport, keeps pace with population growth.<\/p>\n
He also stressed that the Government would maintain a \u201cstable citizen core\u201d and the broad ethnic balance of the citizen population. <\/p>\n
He said: \u201c(We will) continue to carefully manage the impact of immigration on our population composition, to preserve the overall texture of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singaporeans whom The Straits Times spoke to mostly acknowledged the need for immigration, but shared their concerns about greater job competition and pressure on public resources.<\/p>\n
A 37-year-old associate, who wanted to be known only as Ms Ng, acknowledged that having more immigrants helps to maintain Singapore\u2019s vibrancy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut at what point does it become to the detriment of citizens? That\u2019s the balance that needs to be struck,\u201d she said, citing crowds on public transport during peak hours. <\/p>\n
Many locals interviewed, such as ship broker Hafizan Ahamed Marican, 46, said they work with foreigners. He said some foreigners are more competitive than Singaporeans, while differing cultural norms also add to the tensions.<\/p>\n
The way to address these issues, which also relate to identity and belonging, appears to be through integration, which the Government has stepped up and looks keen to do more of.<\/p>\n
This is while it maintains a delicate balance in ethnic proportions to avoid rapid shifts that have led to increased social tensions elsewhere, said observers.<\/p>\n
Dr Leong Chan-Hoong, who heads the social cohesion research programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, said: \u201cEven though multiculturalism and meritocracy are core elements of Singapore\u2019s identity, it may be premature to assume the public is ready to accept significant demographic shifts driven by immigration.\u201d <\/p>\n
The influx of new citizens has so far largely drawn from South-east Asia, with just under two-thirds, or 64.3 per cent, from the region in 2024. This is up from 55.5 per cent in 2014.<\/p>\n
Those from other Asian countries fell from 38.5 per cent to 32.8 per cent over the same period, according to the latest population statistics.<\/p>\n
The Population in Brief report did not break down the numbers by individual countries. The academics said the other Asian countries include China and India, while Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines could be the drivers within South-east Asia.<\/p>\n
IPS research fellow Melvin Tay said natives from Asia and South-east Asia share more norms, family structures and social etiquette with Singaporeans, and these factors make it easier for these newcomers to fit in. <\/p>\n
Where the newcomers are from also broadly corresponds to Singapore\u2019s ethnic composition, the observers noted.<\/p>\n
As at June 2025, Chinese made up 75.5 per cent of Singapore\u2019s population, Malays 15.1 per cent, Indians 7.6 per cent, and others 1.8 per cent. <\/p>\n\n\nOn the integration front, a new Permanent Resident Journey programme was piloted in November 2025 for selected PRs, said a Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth spokesperson. The ministry plans to offer the programme to all new PRs by mid-2026.<\/p>\n
The programme consists of an e-learning module about Singapore\u2019s culture, way of life and social norms, and an experiential component where participants visit a museum or join in a local community event.<\/p>\n
A voluntary orientation programme for Employment Pass holders, who are skilled foreign professionals and executives, will also be piloted in the second quarter of 2026.<\/p>\n
Dr Tay said: \u201cIf Singaporeans see newcomers putting down roots, learning local norms and building real relationships, it reduces the distance and uncertainty that fuel anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singaporeans whom ST spoke to agreed on the need to familiarise the fresh faces with local norms \u2013 including simple customs such as \u201cchope-ing\u201d a table \u2013 and expressed hope that they would learn the social etiquette here and speak English.<\/p>\n
However, current integration efforts can appear top-down and state-driven, said Dr Leong. Integration could be strengthened by starting early through schools and, more organically, through workplaces, suggested academics and Singaporeans interviewed.<\/p>\n
Dr Tay suggested implementing longer-term programmes that bring local-born and immigrant children together, such as co-curricular activity training across local mainstream schools and international schools or school-twinning partnerships. <\/p>\n\n\nGovernment-driven integration efforts include the People\u2019s Association\u2019s over 1,500 Integration and Naturalisation Champions, who help to foster integration in local communities, such as former Chinese national turned Singaporean Tang Haitao, a 40-year-old IT consultant and grassroots leader.<\/p>\n
Once a month, Mr Tang, a member of the Pasir Ris West Integration and Naturalisation Committee, shares with new citizens living in the area about programmes in the community.<\/p>\n
Mr Tang, who came to Singapore in 2003 for his undergraduate degree on a Ministry of Education scholarship, said he finds these sharing sessions meaningful as he meets new citizens who talk about their lives. It also helps them to learn more about what is going on around them, he added. <\/p>\n
Ground-up initiatives include those funded by the National Integration Council\u2019s Community Integration Fund, which has supported projects in the workplace, schools and community.<\/p>\n
The Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations and various clan associations have also made efforts to facilitate community engagement, cultural learning and social interaction. Some of these are tied to celebrating local festivals, while others try to bring individuals together through sport.<\/p>\n
One example is Chin Kang Huay Kuan. Ten per cent of its 1,000-strong membership are new immigrants, and a new immigrant is even heading its youth group, which regularly organises activities such as cycling trips and badminton sessions to bring young members together.<\/p>\n
Outside of these various programmes, it is the day-to-day interactions that lay the ground for successful integration.<\/p>\n
Mr Fernando Steeve, 46, a freelance personal trainer, acknowledged that Singapore citizens like him could put in more thought into exercising kindness.<\/p>\n
He cited the hypothetical scenario of passengers on a train taking issue with the body odour of a group of foreign workers who are sweaty from work, and questioned if they would feel the same if it had been a group of students who are sweaty after playing sports in school.<\/p>\n
While locals have generally been welcoming, Institute of Technical Education student <\/b>Prithikka Divyashini, 20, said she had some unpleasant encounters when she first moved here from Johor Bahru with her family as a child.<\/p>\n\n\nMs Prithikka Divyashini with her father Kumaran Kasinathan and mother Deivanai Subbarayan. The family moved to Singapore from Johor Bahru when Ms Prithikka was a child.<\/p>\n
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Ms Prithikka, who became a Singaporean in 2025, said: \u201cI felt that racism was quite present, and there were moments where I encountered unfriendly attitudes or situations that made me feel uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singaporeans should avoid an \u201cus versus them\u201d mindset and welcome newcomers to join community activities, said Mr Bipule Jain, a 48-year-old IT service manager who moved from New Delhi to Singapore in 2007 for work. <\/p>\n\n\nSAFVC\u00a0(SV) 3 Bipule Jain (right) with his son, Lance Corporal Aadi Jain (left).<\/p>\n
PHOTO: MINDEF<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Mr Jain volunteers as a grassroots leader and joined the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps in 2017. His elder son, 19, is currently serving national service. His family of four are all PRs. <\/p>\n
New arrivals, in turn, should make the effort to learn Singapore\u2019s social norms and cultural sensitivities.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cUltimately, successful integration depends on mutual respect, willingness to adapt, and a shared commitment to building a cohesive community.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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