Singapore's population grows 3.4 per cent to 5.64 million

SINGAPORE: Singapore's total population grew by 3.4 per cent to 5.64 million as of June this year, after two consecutive years of decline, according to an annual report by the National Population and Talent Division on Tuesday Sep 27. Despite the growth, the total population in Singapore was slightly lower than the pre-COVID level of 5.7 million as of June 2019.

The growth rate for the past five years, from 2017 to 2022, was slower than the previous five-year period.

The compound annual growth rate for the total population between June 2017 and June 2019 was 0.8 per cent, excluding the effects of COVID 19 from June 2019 to June 2021. The compound annual growth rate was 1.1 per cent lower than between June 2012 and June 2017 and was already lower, according to the report.

Singapore's resident population, which includes citizens and permanent residents, was 4.07 million, an increase from 3.99 million in June 2021. There were 1.56 million non-residents as of June.

More residents who previously stayed overseas for 12 months or more returned to Singapore because of the easing of COVID 19 travel restrictions.

The citizen population increased by 1.6 per cent from 3.5 million in June 2021 to 3.55 million in June this year.

The non-resident population grew by 6.6 per cent from June last year mainly due to a recovery in foreign employment levels in Singapore after the easing of travel restrictions, but it remained below the pre-COVID level of 1.68 million in June 2019.

The largest increase was seen for work permit holders in the construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors.