Singapore

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.

1 22 N, 103 48 E

flash floods

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

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

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

193 km

Total: 0 km

Agricultural land: 0.9% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 0.8% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 0.1% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

Forest: 21.2% (2022 est.)

Other: 77.9% (2022 est.)

Territorial sea: 3 nm

Exclusive fishing zone: Within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice

fish, deepwater ports

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes; consists of about 60 islands, the largest of which by far is Pulau Ujong; land reclamation has removed many former islands and created a number of new ones

lowlying, gently undulating central plateau

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Southeast Asia

0 sq km (2022)

600 million cubic meters (2022)

most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas

Highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

Lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m

Total : 719 sq km

Land: 709.2 sq km

Water: 10 sq km

0-14 years: 14.6% (male 455,536/female 424,969)

15-64 years: 71.1% (male 2,157,441/female 2,126,799)

65 years and over: 14.3% (2024 est.) (male 400,653/female 463,061)

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total population: 98% (2021 est.)

Male: 99% (2021 est.)

Female: 96% (2021 est.)

Noun: Singaporean(s)

Adjective: Singapore

Total: 17 years (2022 est.)

Male: 17 years (2022 est.)

Female: 17 years (2022 est.)

Urban population: 100% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

6.081 million SINGAPORE (capital) (2023)

2.83 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

30.5 years (2015 est.)

Note: Data represents median age

Total dependency ratio: 40.7 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 20.6 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 20.2 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 5 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

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)

Buddhist 31.1%, Christian 18.9%, Muslim 15.6%, Taoist 8.8%, Hindu 5%, other 0.6%, none 20% (2020 est.)

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

5.6% of GDP (2021)

18.1% of national budget (2022 est.)

Women married by age 15: 0% (2023)

Women married by age 18: 0.1% (2023)

0.57 (2024 est.)

54.3% (2023 est.)

Total: 7.8% (2024 est.)

Male: 5.6% (2024 est.)

Female: 10.8% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 39.4 years (2024 est.)

Male: 38 years

Female: 40.6 years

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.17 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 6,028,459 (2024 est.)

Male: 3,013,630

Female: 3,014,829

Total: 1.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 1.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 1.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 16.2% (2025 est.)

Male: 27.6% (2025 est.)

Female: 3.8% (2025 est.)

6.1% (2016)

4.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

8.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 1.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 1.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 0.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 0.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 86.7 years (2024 est.)

Male: 84 years

Female: 89.5 years

2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)

10.8% national budget (2023 est.)

0.87% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 198.207 million cubic meters (2022)

Industrial: 162.624 million cubic meters (2022)

Agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2022)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.87 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 51.7% (2022 est.)

10 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

238.962 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 2.338 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 210.859 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From consumed natural gas: 25.765 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

643.259 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Graham MAYER (since August 2025)

Embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

Mailing address: 4280 Singapore Place, Washington DC  20521-4280

Telephone: [65] 6476-9100

FAX: [65] 6476-9340

Email address and website:
Singaporeusembassy@state.gov

https://sg.usembassy.gov/

no first-order administrative divisions; five community development councils: Central Singapore Development Council, North East Development Council, North West Development Council, South East Development Council, South West Development Council (2019)

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

History: Several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965

Amendment process: Proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in the second and third readings by the elected Parliament membership and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting sovereignty or control of the Police Force or the Armed Forces requires at least two-thirds majority vote in a referendum

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

Description: Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; a vertical white crescent is on the left side of the red band, with a circle of five five-pointed white stars to the right of the crescent

Meaning: Red stands for brotherhood and equality, and white for purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the stars represent the national ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

Highest court(s): Supreme Court (number of judges varies but includes judicial commissioners, judges of appeal, and international judges); the court is organized into an upper-tier Appeal Court and a lower-tier High Court

Judge selection and term of office: Judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; judges usually serve until retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended

Subordinate courts: District, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals; employment claims tribunals

English common law

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

Percentage of women in chamber: 32.3%

Expected date of next election: May 2030

ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

National Day, 9 August (1965)

People's Action Party or PAP 
Progress Singapore Party or PSP 
Workers' Party or WP 

Note: The PAP has won every general election since the end of the British colonial era in 1959

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

parliamentary republic

Conventional long form: Republic of Singapore

Conventional short form: Singapore

Local long form: Republic of Singapore

Local short form: Singapore

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

Chief of mission: Ambassador LUI Tuck Yew (since 30 June 2023)

Chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

Telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100

FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876

Email address and website:
Singemb_was@mfa.sg

https://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/

Consulate(s) general: San Francisco

Consulate(s): New York

Title: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward, Singapore)

Lyrics/music: Zubir SAID

History: Adopted 1959; the anthem is sung only in Malay; first four lines of the melody are used as a presidential salute

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

lion, merlion (mythical half-lion, half-fish creature), orchid

Citizenship by birth: No

Citizenship by descent only: At least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore

Dual citizenship recognized: No

Residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Singapore Botanic Gardens

red, white

integrated circuits, refined petroleum, machinery, vaccines, gold (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Hong Kong 13%, China 11%, USA 10%, Malaysia 9%, S. Korea 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

chicken, eggs, vegetables, pork, duck, spinach, lettuce, pork offal, cabbages, pork fat (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $80.836 billion (2022 est.)

Expenditures: $73.144 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, gold, gas turbines (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
1.336 (2024 est.)
1.343 (2023 est.)
1.379 (2022 est.)
1.343 (2021 est.)
1.38 (2020 est.)

electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, biomedical products, scientific instruments, telecommunication equipment, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, entrepot trade

$547.387 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 31.5% (2024 est.)

Government consumption: 10.6% (2024 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2024 est.)

Investment in inventories: 0.3% (2024 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 178.8% (2024 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -143.6% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

China 15%, Malaysia 11%, Taiwan 11%, USA 10%, S. Korea 6% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

On food: 7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

On alcohol and tobacco: 1.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

0% of GDP (2023 est.)
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
0% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

3.722 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$383.946 billion (2024 est.)
$359.835 billion (2023 est.)
$296.629 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

175.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

3.2% (2024 est.)
3.5% (2023 est.)
3.6% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

13.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$800.304 billion (2024 est.)
$766.662 billion (2023 est.)
$752.948 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

2.4% (2024 est.)
4.8% (2023 est.)
6.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$96.015 billion (2024 est.)
$89.403 billion (2023 est.)
$93.771 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$132,600 (2024 est.)
$129,600 (2023 est.)
$133,600 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$786.02 billion (2024 est.)
$728.5 billion (2023 est.)
$744.364 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$978.597 billion (2024 est.)
$917.683 billion (2023 est.)
$947.355 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

4.4% (2024 est.)
1.8% (2023 est.)
4.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

4.2% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 0% (2024 est.)

Industry: 21.4% (2024 est.)

Services: 73% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Consumption: 1.153 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 97 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports: 1.326 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 94.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Biomass and waste: 3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Consumption: 13.134 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Exports: 399.452 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Imports: 13.973 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 1.514 million bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 13.134 million kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 56.672 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 169.447 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 94% (2023 est.)

.sg

state-controlled broadcast media; 6 domestic TV stations operated by state-owned MediaCorp; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV services available; 19 domestic radio stations, including 11 for MediaCorp, 5 for state-linked Singapore Press Holdings, 2 for Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association, and 1 for BBC Radio; Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations available (2019)

Total subscriptions: 9.65 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 156 (2022 est.)

Total: 1.57 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 1.912 million (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2023 est.)

9V

9 (2025)

Total: 3,202 (2023)

By type: Bulk carrier 591, container ship 604, general cargo 107, oil tanker 600, other 1,300

1 (2025)

18-21 years of age for compulsory military service for men; 16.5 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); 24-month conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers); women are not conscripted, but they are allowed to volunteer for all services and branches, including combat arms (2025)

Note 1: All male Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, unless exempted, are required to enter National Service (NS) upon attaining the age of 18; most NS conscripts serve in the Armed Forces, but some go into the Police Force or Civil Defense Force; conscripts comprise over half of the defense establishment

Note 2: As of 2022, women made up about 8% of the regular force

Note 3: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also has a uniformed volunteer auxiliary branch known as the Volunteer Corps (SAFVC); the SAFVC allows citizens and residents not subject to the National Service obligation, including Singaporean women, first generation permanent residents, and naturalized citizens, to contribute towards Singapore's defense; the volunteers must be 18-45 and physically fit

Note 4: Members of the Gurkha Contingent (GC) of the Singapore Police Force are mostly recruited from a small number of hill tribes in Nepal; the GC was formed in 1949 originally from selected ex-British Army Gurkhas

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.)

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

the SAF’s primary responsibility is external defense, particularly maritime security, but it also trains for certain domestic security operations, including joint deterrence patrols with police in instances of heightened terrorism alerts; the Army includes a “people’s defense force,” which is a divisional headquarters responsible for homeland security and counterterrorism; the SAF regularly participates in bilateral and multilateral training exercises

Singapore is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily; Singapore also has close security ties with the US, including granting the US military access, basing, and overflight privileges

The SAF's roots go back to 1854 when the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps was formed under colonial rule; the first battalion of regular soldiers, the First Singapore Infantry Regiment, was organized in 1957; the modern SAF was established in 1965 (2025)

information varies; approximately 55,000 active-duty Armed Forces (40,000 Army; 7,000 Navy; 8,000 Air Force) (2025)

Note: The Army is comprised mostly of conscripts and reservists with a small core of professional soldiers, while the Air Force and Navy are staffed mainly by professional personnel

the SAF has a diverse and largely modern mix of domestically produced and imported Western weapons systems; in recent years, France, Germany, and the US have been among the top suppliers of arms; Singapore has the most developed arms industry in Southeast Asia and is also its largest importer of weapons (2024)

maintains permanent training detachments of military personnel in Australia, France, and the US (2025)

Stateless persons: 1,109 (2024 est.)

Total ports: 5 (2024)

Large: 2

Medium: 1

Small: 1

Very small: 1

Ports with oil terminals: 3

Key ports: Jurong Island, Keppel - (East Singapore), Pulau Bukom, Pulau Sebarok

45.8 (2016)