Singapore

Introduction

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 and fell into obscurity. The British founded modern Singapore as a trading colony on the site in 1819. It 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 (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Geography

Location

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Geographic coordinates

1 22 N, 103 48 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

total: 719.2 sq km
land: 709.2 sq km
water: 10 sq km
country comparison to the world: 191

Area - comparative

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

193 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3nm
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice

Climate

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

Terrain

lowlying, gently undulating central plateau

Elevation

lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

Natural resources

fish, deepwater ports

Land use

agricultural land: 1% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0.9% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0.1% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
forest: 3.3% (2011 est.)
other: 95.7% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

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

Natural hazards

flash floods

Environment - current issues

water pollution; industrial pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; air pollution; deforestation; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

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

People and Society

Population

5,995,991 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

Nationality

noun: Singaporean(s)
adjective: Singapore

Ethnic groups

Chinese 74.3%, Malay 13.4%, Indian 9%, other 3.2% (2018 est.)
note: individuals self-identify; 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) 36.9%, Mandarin (official) 34.9%, other Chinese dialects (includes Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka) 12.2%, Malay (official) 10.7%, Tamil (official) 3.3%, other 2% (2015 est.)
note: data represent language most frequently spoken at home

Religions

Buddhist 33.2%, Christian 18.8%, Muslim 14%, Taoist 10%, Hindu 5%, other 0.6%, none 18.5% (2015 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 12.77%(male 391,714 /female 373,766)
15-24 years: 16.05%(male 473,012 /female 489,553)
25-54 years: 50.61%(male 1,476,528 /female 1,558,179)
55-64 years: 10.53%(male 316,001 /female 315,648)
65 years and over: 10.03%(male 274,863 /female 326,727) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 37.3 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 21.3 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 16 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 6.2 (2015 est.)

Median age

total: 34.9 years (2018 est.)
male: 34.8 years
female: 35.1 years
country comparison to the world: 84

Population growth rate

1.79% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Birth rate

8.7 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212

Death rate

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216

Net migration rate

12.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 1.39% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

5.868 million SINGAPORE (capital) (2019)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.5 years (2015 est.)
median age

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 220

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 85.5 years (2018 est.)
male: 82.8 years
female: 88.3 years
country comparison to the world: 3

Total fertility rate

0.84 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 224

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

4.3% (2016)

Physicians density

2.31 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Hospital bed density

2.4 beds/1,000 population (2015)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population (2015 est.)
total: 100% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2015 est.)
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,900 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<100 (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

6.1% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 171

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 144

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 98.7%
female: 95.4% (2016)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2016)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 9.1%
male: 6.2%
female: 12.5% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

Government

Country name

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 "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol

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 "pura" (city), thus creating the city's epithet "lion city"

Administrative divisions

no first order administrative divisions; there are 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)

Independence

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

National holiday

National Day, 9 August (1965)

Constitution

history: several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965
amendments: 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; amended many times, last in 2016 (2018)

Legal system

English common law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC (2019)

Citizenship

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

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch

chief of state: President HALIMAH Yacob (since 14 September 2017); note - President TAN's term ended on 31 August 2017; HALIMAH is Singapore's first female president; the head of the Council of Presidential Advisors, J.Y. PILLAY, served as acting president until HALIMAH was sworn in as president on 14 September 2017
head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Ministers HENG Swee Keat (since 1 May 2019) (2019)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a fixed term of 6-years (there are no term limits); election last held on 13 September 2017 (next to be held in 2023); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
election results: HALIMAH Yacob was declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate; Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president in the previous contested election on 27 August 2011; percent of vote - Tony TAN Keng Yam (independent) 35.2% , TAN Cheng Bock (independent) 34.9%, TAN Jee Say (independent) 25%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 4.9%

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 89 members directly elected by popular vote, up to 9 nominated by a parliamentary selection committee and appointed by the president, and up to 9 but currently 3 non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms); note - the number of nominated members will increase to 12 for the next election (2019)
elections: last held on 11 September 2015 (next must be held by 15 April 2021)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 69.9%, WP 12.5%, other 17.6%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 6; composition - men 77, women 24, percent of women 23.8%

Judicial branch

highest courts: Supreme Court (although the number of judges varies - as of April 2019, the court totaled 20 judges, 7 judicial commissioners, 4 judges of appeal, and 16 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

Political parties and leaders

National Solidarity Party or NSP [Sebastian TEO]
People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]
Progress Singapore Party or PSP [Tan Cheng Bock]
Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [Dr. CHEE Soon Juan]
Workers' Party or WP [Pritam SINGH]

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI (since 30 July 2012)
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
consulate(s) general: San Francisco
consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Rafik MANSOUR (since July 2019)
telephone: [65] 6476-9100
embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508
mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001
FAX: [65] 6476-9340

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality

National symbol(s)

lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white

National anthem

name: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)
lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said
note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay

Economy

Economy - overview

Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys an open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. Unemployment is very low. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly of electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, medical and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on Singapore’s vibrant transportation, business, and financial services sectors.The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since 2010. Growth from 2012-2017 was slower than during the previous decade, a result of slowing structural growth - as Singapore reached high-income levels - and soft global demand for exports. Growth recovered to 3.6% in 2017 with a strengthening global economy.The government is attempting to restructure Singapore’s economy to reduce its dependence on foreign labor, raise productivity growth, and increase wages amid slowing labor force growth and an aging population. Singapore has attracted major investments in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and technology hub. Singapore is a signatory of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and a party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations with nine other ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. In 2015, Singapore formed, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN Economic Community.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$528.1 billion (2017 est.)
$509.7 billion (2016 est.)
$497.8 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 38

GDP (official exchange rate)

$323.9 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.6% (2017 est.)
2.4% (2016 est.)
2.2% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$94,100 (2017 est.)
$90,900 (2016 est.)
$89,900 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 7

Gross national saving

46.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
46% of GDP (2016 est.)
45.7% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 35.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 10.9% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 24.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 2.8% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 173.3% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -149.1% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0% (2017 est.)
industry: 24.8% (2017 est.)
services: 75.2% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish, orchids

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

5.7% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Labor force

3.657 million (2017 est.)
note: excludes non-residents
country comparison to the world: 99

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 25.6%
services: 73.7% (2017)
note: excludes non-residents

Unemployment rate

2.2% (2017 est.)
2.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21

Population below poverty line

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 27.5% (2017)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.9 (2017)
45.8 (2016)
country comparison to the world: 38

Budget

revenues: 50.85 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 51.87 billion (2017 est.)
note: expenditures include both operational and development expenditures

Taxes and other revenues

15.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Public debt

111.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
106.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: Singapore's public debt consists largely of Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which administers Singapore's defined contribution pension fund; special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and are non-tradable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s; Singapore has no external public debt
country comparison to the world: 11

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.6% (2017 est.)
-0.5% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Central bank discount rate

2.15% (2017 est.)
1.17% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.28% (31 December 2017 est.)
5.35% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Stock of narrow money

$137.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$119.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31

Stock of broad money

$137.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$119.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31

Stock of domestic credit

$471.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$383.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Market value of publicly traded shares

$809.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$712.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$696 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Current account balance

$60.99 billion (2017 est.)
$58.85 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Exports

$396.8 billion (2017 est.)
$338 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

Exports - partners

China 14.7%, Hong Kong 12.6%, Malaysia 10.8%, US 6.6%, Indonesia 5.8%, Japan 4.7%, South Korea 4.6%, Thailand 4% (2017)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products, foodstuffs and beverages

Imports

$312.1 billion (2017 est.)
$277.6 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners

China 13.9%, Malaysia 12%, US 10.7%, Japan 6.3%, South Korea 5% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$279.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$271.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Debt - external

$566.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$464.1 billion (30 September 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.285 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.22 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$841.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$759.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

Exchange rates

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar -
1.3 (2017 est.)
1.35 (2016 est.)
1.3815 (2015 est.)
1.3748 (2014 est.)
1.2671 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

48.66 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Electricity - consumption

47.69 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200

Electricity - installed generating capacity

13.35 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Electricity - from fossil fuels

98% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200

Electricity - from other renewable sources

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200

Crude oil - exports

14,780 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Crude oil - imports

783,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195

Refined petroleum products - production

755,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.322 million bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17

Refined petroleum products - exports

1.82 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Refined petroleum products - imports

2.335 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196

Natural gas - consumption

12.97 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Natural gas - exports

622.9 million cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Natural gas - imports

13.48 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

249.5 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1,983,100
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 8,462,800
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 144 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

Telephone system

general assessment: excellent service; world leader in telecommunications and perhaps the first 'Smart Nation' where a sensor network is implemented; saturated mobile audience; roll out of 4G and 5G networks to ensure faster speeds; wireless and fiber broadband growing segments of telecommunications (2018)
domestic: excellent domestic facilities; fixed-line 34.9 per 100 and mobile-cellular 149.6 per 100 teledensity; multiple providers of high-speed Internet connectivity (2018)
international: country code - 65; landing points for INDIGO-West, SeaMeWe -3,-4,-5, SIGMAR, SJC, i2icn, PGASCOM, BSCS, IGG, B3JS, SAEx2, APCN-2, APG, ASC, SEAX-1, ASE, EAC-C2C, Matrix Cable System and SJC2 submarine cables providing links throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3, Bukit Timah, Seletar, and Sentosa; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2019 )

Broadcast media

state controls broadcast media; 6 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp which is wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV services available; a total of 19 domestic radio stations broadcasting, with MediaCorp operating 11, Singapore Press Holdings, also government-linked, another 5, 2 controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association and one owned by BBC Radio; Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available as is BBC; a number of Internet service radio stations are also available (2019)

Internet country code

.sg

Internet users

total: 4,683,200
percent of population: 81% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 1,470,400
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Military and Security

Military expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2019)
3.14% of GDP (2018)
3.16% of GDP (2017)
3.19% of GDP (2016)
3.09% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 20

Military and security forces

Singapore Armed Forces: Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force (includes Air Defense);  Police Coast Guard (subordinate to the Singapore Police Force) (2019)

Military service age and obligation

18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 1/2 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2019)

Maritime threats

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; the Singapore Straits saw three attacks against commercial vessels in 2018, a slight decrease from the four attacks in 2017 (2018)

Transportation

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 5 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 197 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 33,290,544 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 6,154,365,275mt-km (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9V (2016)

Airports

9 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 159

Airports - with paved runways

total: 9 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 2 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
under 914 m: 1 (2017)

Pipelines

3220 km domestic gas (2014), 1122 km cross-border pipelines (2017), 8 km refined products (2013)

Roadways

total: 3,500 km (2017)
paved: 3,500 km(includes 164 km of expressways) (2017)
country comparison to the world: 154

Merchant marine

total: 3,526
by type: bulk carrier 603, container ship 490, general cargo 132, oil tanker 732, other 1,569 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 6

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Singapore
container port(s) (TEUs): Singapore (33,666,000) (2017)
LNG terminal(s) (import): Singapore

Terrorism

Terrorist groups - foreign based

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Singapore: aim(s): enhance its networks in Singapore; implement ISIS's strict interpretation of sharia
area(s) of operation: attacks in Bangladesh are staged in Singapore; operates under the name the Islamic State in Bangladesh (2018)
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI): aim(s): enhance its networks in Singapore and, ultimately, overthrow the Singapore Government and establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia
area(s) of operation: maintains a presence (2018)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

disputes with Malaysia over territorial waters, airspace, the price of fresh water delivered to Singapore from Malaysia, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 1,303 (2018)

Illicit drugs

drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts, including carrying out death sentences; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering

Flag of Singapore