Factbook dossier
Background
A Malay trading port known as Temasek existed on the island of Singapore by the 14th century. The settlement changed hands several times in the ensuing centuries and was eventually burned in the 17th century, falling into obscurity. In 1819, the British founded modern Singapore as a trading colony on the same site and granted it full internal self-government for all matters except defense and foreign affairs in 1959. Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries, with strong international trading links and per capita GDP among the highest globally. The People s Action Party has won every general election in Singapore since the end of the British colonial era, aided by its success in delivering consistent economic growth, as well as the city-state's fragmented opposition and electoral procedures that strongly favor the ruling party.
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Area
total : 719 sq km land: 709.2 sq km water: 10 sq km
Natural resources
fish, deepwater ports
Natural hazards
flash floods
Population
total: 6,080,545 (2025 est.) male: 3,040,862 female: 3,039,683
Ethnic groups
Chinese 74.2%, Malay 13.7%, Indian 8.9%, other 3.2% (2021 est.) note: data represent population by self-identification; the population is divided into four categories: Chinese, Malay (includes indigenous Malays and Indonesians), Indian (includes Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, or Sri Lankan), and other ethnic groups (includes Eurasians, Caucasians, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese)
Languages
English (official) 48.3%, Mandarin (official) 29.9%, other Chinese dialects (includes Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka) 8.7%, Malay (official) 9.2%, Tamil (official) 2.5%, other 1.4% (2020 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) 世界概況 不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Mandarin) note: data represent language most frequently spoken at home
Religions
Buddhist 31.1%, Christian 18.9%, Muslim 15.6%, Taoist 8.8%, Hindu 5%, other 0.6%, none 20% (2020 est.)
Environmental issues
water pollution; industrial pollution; limited freshwater resources; waste disposal problems from limited land availability; air pollution; deforestation; seasonal smoke/haze from forest fires in Indonesia
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Singapore geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the Sanskrit words simha (lion) and pur (city); according to Malayan folklore, an Indian prince visited Singapore in the 7th century and mistook the first animal he saw for a lion, which is not native to the country
Executive branch
chief of state: President THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (since 14 September 2023) head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence WONG (since 15 May 2024) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; responsible to Parliament election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits); following legislative elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime ministers also appointed by the president most recent election date: 1 September 2023 election results: 2023: THARMAN Shanmugaratnam elected president; percent of vote - THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (independent) 70.4%, NG Kok Song (independent) 15.7%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 13.9% 2017 : HALIMAH Yacob declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate expected date of next election: 2029
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 108 (97 directly elected; 9 appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 5/3/2025 parties elected and seats per party: People's Action Party (PAP) (87); Workers' Party (WPS) (12) percentage of women in chamber: 32.3% expected date of next election: May 2030
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$800.304 billion (2024 est.) $766.662 billion (2023 est.) $752.948 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$132,600 (2024 est.) $129,600 (2023 est.) $133,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.4% (2024 est.) 4.8% (2023 est.) 6.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Hong Kong 13%, China 11%, USA 10%, Malaysia 9%, S. Korea 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
China 15%, Malaysia 11%, Taiwan 11%, USA 10%, S. Korea 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF; aka Singapore Defense Force): Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force (includes air defense), Digital and Intelligence Service Ministry of Home Affairs: Singapore Police Force (SPF; includes Police Coast Guard and the Gurkha Contingent) (2025) note 1: the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force (GCSPF) is a paramilitary unit for riot control and acts as a rapid reaction force note 2: the Navy includes the multi-agency standing Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF), which assists the Police Coast Guard in conducting maritime security operations
Military expenditures
3% of GDP (2024 est.) 3% of GDP (2023 est.) 3% of GDP (2022 est.) 3% of GDP (2021 est.) 3% of GDP (2020 est.)