Country Profile: Singapore

Singapore is a wealthy island city-state located in Southeast Asia, strategically situated between Malaysia and Indonesia. With a population of over 6 million, it is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, predominantly Chinese, Malay, and Indian. The country is renowned for its dynamic economy, which is service-based and heavily reliant on international trade. Governed as a parliamentary republic since gaining independence in 1965, the People's Action Party has maintained a dominant position in politics, ensuring stability and sustained economic growth.

Geography

Singapore comprises about 60 islands, with Pulau Ujong being the largest. The country has a tropical climate, characterized by high humidity and distinct monsoon seasons. While there are no land boundaries, Singapore boasts a coastline of 193 km and serves as a critical hub for maritime trade in Southeast Asia. The urban landscape is primarily concentrated along the southern coast, where most of the population resides.

719 sq km total area.
0 km land borders.
22% of land is forested (2023).
0.9% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
Highest point is Bukit Timah at 166 m.

People and Society

Singapore has a diverse population of approximately 6.08 million people as of 2025, with a median age of 39.8 years. The majority of residents are Chinese (74.2%), followed by Malays (13.7%) and Indians (8.9%). The country is also notable for its high literacy rate of 97.7% and a life expectancy of 86.7 years. Urbanization is nearly complete, with 100% of the population living in urban areas.

86.7 years life expectancy at birth (2024).
100% urban population (2023).
14.6% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
Migrant net rate is 4.11 per 1,000 population (2025).
8.77 births per 1,000 population (2025).

Economy

Singapore's economy is one of the most competitive and open globally, with a real GDP per capita of approximately $132,600 in 2024. The economy is primarily service-based, with services accounting for 73% of GDP. Although inflation persists, particularly in the services sector, public investments in education and healthcare continue to drive economic growth.

$800.304 billion real GDP (PPP, 2024).
3.2% unemployment rate (2024).
21.4% of GDP comes from industry (2024).
$978.597 billion in exports expected (2024).
3% military expenditures of GDP (2024).

Government

Singapore operates as a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature. The current President is THARMAN Shanmugaratnam, while the Prime Minister is Lawrence WONG. The People's Action Party (PAP) has been the predominant political force since 1959. Voting is compulsory for citizens aged 21 and older.

Latest constitution adopted on 22 December 1965.
108 seats in Parliament with 97 directly elected.
Next parliamentary election expected in May 2030.
9 August 1965 is Singapore's independence date.
National day celebrated on 9 August annually.

Military and Security

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as a Digital and Intelligence Service. Military service is compulsory for males, while Singapore maintains an advanced defense industry. The military expenditures account for about 3% of GDP, and the country has training detachments in various countries for enhanced cooperation.

Approximately 55,000 active-duty personnel (2025).
Compulsory military service starts at age 18.
Permanent training detachments in locations such as Australia, France, and the US.
Modern weapons systems from international suppliers.
3% military spending of GDP (2024).

Energy

Singapore has achieved 100% electricity access for its population and relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation. Recent years have seen a growing interest in renewables, though fossil fuels still dominate the power generation landscape.

Installed capacity of 13.134 million kW (2023).
94.8% of electricity from fossil fuels (2023).
56.672 billion kWh electricity consumed (2023).
1.514 million bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023).
Electricity generation includes 2% solar (2023).

Environment

Environmental challenges in Singapore include water and industrial pollution, as well as waste management issues due to limited land. The country is party to numerous international environmental agreements and actively works on sustainability initiatives.

238.962 million metric tons of CO2 emissions (2023).
1.87 million tons of municipal solid waste produced annually (2024).
51.7% of solid waste recycled (2022).
600 million cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022).
22% land forested (2023).

Transportation

Singapore has a robust transportation network, including a highly developed airport system and extensive maritime facilities. The country has five main ports, which facilitate significant international trade.

9 airports operational (2025).
5 major ports serving international shipping (2024).
3,202 merchant ships in the marine fleet (2023).
169.447 million kWh in electricity distribution losses (2023).
1.912 million fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).

Communications

With a high penetration of internet and mobile services, Singapore's communication infrastructure is advanced and primarily state-controlled. The country boasts a high percentage of internet users, contributing to its status as a global hub.

94% of the population are internet users (2023).
9.96 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
1.57 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
Television and radio broadcasts are largely state-run.
33 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants for fixed telephones (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	6,080,545 (2025 est.)
Area	719 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$800.304 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	643.259 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Birth Rate	8.77 births/1,000 population	(2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3.2% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	86.7 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	97.7% (2021 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.18 children born/woman	(2025 est.)
Forest Area	22% of land (2023 est.)