Singapore population falls for first time in 17 years as firms hire fewer foreigners
- The city state’s total population dropped 0.3 per cent to 5.69 million as of June from a year ago, as the services sector saw fewer foreigners employed
- Foreign workers were a key issue in the July election, with several opposition candidates saying that locals were losing out on jobs
The overall population dropped by about 18,000 people, or 0.3 per cent, to 5.69 million, largely due to a reduction in foreign employment in the services sector, according to Singapore’s annual population report released on Thursday.
Total population, which include citizens, permanent residents, foreign workers and students, last fell in 2003 to 4.11 million from 4.18 million the year before.
The non-resident population was 1.64 million as of June 2020, a decrease of 2.1 per cent from June 2019 and the lowest since 2015. By visa type, work permit holders saw the largest decrease.
“These trends were largely due to Covid-19 related challenges, brought about by weak demand and travel restrictions,” according to the report.
Singapore’s non-resident population has more than doubled over the last 20 years, powering population growth in a city state with one of the world’s lowest birth rates.
Foreign workers became a key election issue in July, with several opposition candidates campaigning that jobs are getting taken away from locals.