Kenneth Kee
A Personal Guide To Singapore History, Part 3
language
( July 7, 2015)
Introduction
The aging population
If the current birth rate remains, the number of Singapore Citizens (SCs) aged 65 and above will triple to 900,000 by 2030
A smaller base of citizens will be working as our citizen population and workforce will age and decline.
For the past fifty years, Singapore has become a global city and economic success.
Singapore is a place where many people want to come to live and work.
There is diverse education with job opportunities, a good quality of life, rising real wages and a safe environment for families.
The intake of new citizens rose from an average of 8,200 per year between 1987 and 2006, to about 18,500 per year in the last 5 years.
There is also an average of 58,000 Permanent Residents (PRs) every year between 2004 and 2008.
Singapore has tightened the immigration framework since late-2009 and reduced the intake to an average of 28,500 per year from 2010 onwards.
Foreigners who have come to Singapore to work has also increased, in response to the social and economic needs.
The fast pace of population growth has caused congestion on the transport systems and a tight housing market.
Supporting infrastructure did not keep pace with the population growth.
Pockets of friction have arisen between Singaporeans and some foreigners and new immigrants, as a result of cultural differences.
Some Singaporeans are concerned about the weakening of the social cohesion that had taken many years to build.
Many are worried that Singaporeans may be at a disadvantage because foreigners may compete for jobs, reduce wages and decrease the standards of living for some segments of the population.
With these concerns in mind, the Government has tightened the immigration framework and place more stringent foreign workforce controls to decrease the influx of foreigners into Singapore.
Increasing birth rates is a main priority in improving the population.
Infrastructure development has also been increased but will take time to come on-stream.
The issues of an aging population are closely inter-related and complex, with long-term far reaching effects for Singaporeans.
Singaporeans also have to stay a strong and cohesive society.
They need to make sure that there is strong economic growth, the creation of good jobs and a better quality of life.
The goal is to achieve a sustainable population that is strong and cohesive, living in a good quality environment and with a vibrant economy.
This then will be a Singapore which is home for Singaporeans young and old who will want to raise their families and build their future.
As is the case in other developed Asian urbanized societies like Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, the lower birth rates are due to increasing single hood, later marriages, and married couples having fewer children.
Many social and economic factors also play a part in marriage and parenthood decisions.
The increase of higher education opportunities while welcome has also delayed entry into the workforce and family formation.
Singapore’s life expectancy has risen by 10 years over the last 30 years from 72 years in 1980 to 82 years in 2010.
The life expectancy is one of the highest in the world.
This increasing life expectancy is good however with low birth rates there is a risk of a shrinking and ageing citizen population and workforce.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction – Old Age
Chapter 1 21st Century Singapore (2000-2015)
Chapter 2 The End of the World and Beginning of Terrorism
Chapter 3 My Clinic
(2001-2015)
Chapter 4 My Children and Grandchildren
(2000-2015)
Chapter 5 Tragedies and Happiness (2000-2015)
Chapter 6 The Future for Singapore and My Family
The aging population
If the current birth rate remains, the number of Singapore Citizens (SCs) aged 65 and above will triple to 900,000 by 2030
A smaller base of citizens will be working as our citizen population and workforce will age and decline.
For the past fifty years, Singapore has become a global city and economic success.
Singapore is a place where many people want to come to live and work.
There is diverse education with job opportunities, a good quality of life, rising real wages and a safe environment for families.
The intake of new citizens rose from an average of 8,200 per year between 1987 and 2006, to about 18,500 per year in the last 5 years.
There is also an average of 58,000 Permanent Residents (PRs) every year between 2004 and 2008.
Singapore has tightened the immigration framework since late-2009 and reduced the intake to an average of 28,500 per year from 2010 onwards.
Foreigners who have come to Singapore to work has also increased, in response to the social and economic needs.
The fast pace of population growth has caused congestion on the transport systems and a tight housing market.
Supporting infrastructure did not keep pace with the population growth.
Pockets of friction have arisen between Singaporeans and some foreigners and new immigrants, as a result of cultural differences.
Some Singaporeans are concerned about the weakening of the social cohesion that had taken many years to build.
Many are worried that Singaporeans may be at a disadvantage because foreigners may compete for jobs, reduce wages and decrease the standards of living for some segments of the population.
With these concerns in mind, the Government has tightened the immigration framework and place more stringent foreign workforce controls to decrease the influx of foreigners into Singapore.
Increasing birth rates is a main priority in improving the population.
Infrastructure development has also been increased but will take time to come on-stream.
The issues of an aging population are closely inter-related and complex, with long-term far reaching effects for Singaporeans.
Singaporeans also have to stay a strong and cohesive society.
They need to make sure that there is strong economic growth, the creation of good jobs and a better quality of life.
The goal is to achieve a sustainable population that is strong and cohesive, living in a good quality environment and with a vibrant economy.
This then will be a Singapore which is home for Singaporeans young and old who will want to raise their families and build their future.
As is the case in other developed Asian urbanized societies like Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, the lower birth rates are due to increasing single hood, later marriages, and married couples having fewer children.
Many social and economic factors also play a part in marriage and parenthood decisions.
The increase of higher education opportunities while welcome has also delayed entry into the workforce and family formation.
Singapore’s life expectancy has risen by 10 years over the last 30 years from 72 years in 1980 to 82 years in 2010.
The life expectancy is one of the highest in the world.
This increasing life expectancy is good however with low birth rates there is a risk of a shrinking and ageing citizen population and workforce.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction – Old Age
Chapter 1 21st Century Singapore (2000-2015)
Chapter 2 The End of the World and Beginning of Terrorism
Chapter 3 My Clinic
(2001-2015)
Chapter 4 My Children and Grandchildren
(2000-2015)
Chapter 5 Tragedies and Happiness (2000-2015)
Chapter 6 The Future for Singapore and My Family
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