SINGAPORE — Singapore plans to admit between 25,000 and 30,000 new citizens annually over the next five years to offset declining birth rates and a rapidly aging population, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Feb. 26.
Speaking during the debate on the Prime Minister’s Office budget, DPM Gan said Singapore’s total fertility rate fell to a record low of 0.87 in 2025, and without intervention, the citizen population could begin shrinking by the early 2040s. He noted the decline translates to just 44 children and 19 grandchildren for every 100 residents today.
DPM Gan emphasized the need for “carefully managed immigration” to supplement the low birth rate while maintaining a stable citizen core and ensuring public infrastructure such as housing and transport are not overwhelmed. Singapore expects around 40,000 new permanent residents per year over the next five years.
In 2025, Singapore’s citizen population grew 0.7%, and one in five citizens was aged 65 or older, up from one in eight in 2015. DPM Gan highlighted the importance of supporting Singaporeans in marriage and parenthood alongside selective immigration policies to address long-term demographic challenges.
The deputy prime minister also stressed the role of skilled foreign workers in filling manpower gaps and creating jobs for citizens, while monitoring the growth of the non-resident population to ensure citizens remain the majority. Singapore will continue to evaluate applicants for citizenship and may adjust the ethnic composition of new arrivals to maintain social balance.
DPM Gan said the government will focus on sustainable population trends, adequate infrastructure, and ensuring economic growth improves the lives of Singaporeans.
