The numbers of six million and 10 million have been floated around whenever the discussions turn to Singapore’s possible population size, said media reports.
However, Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing put forward another potential figure: a population of below four million.
Speaking at the annual dinner of the Economic Society of Singapore (ESS) on 7 August, Mr Chan said, “Strangely, when we talk about any number, there is another scenario – a number below four million… It is not inconceivable that we have a scenario where the transient workers or others may not find us so attractive.”
He noted immigration and integration remain as major challenges going forward and the city-state’s ability to attract the right type of immigrants is not a given.
Mr Chan recalled prior to the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, there were around 100,000 people queuing for HDB flats. But when the crisis occured, there was a surplus of flats in areas such as Sengkang.
His point was the government had to also plan for a possible decline in population.
“I don’t think people will say there is a number and we will go towards it. A lot depends on how attractive people find us as a place to work and live,” he said when questioned about Singapore’s suitable population size.
Mr Chan said “nobody knows” what the future population size of Singapore would be.
“Will it be 10 million? Will it be less or more? Nobody knows.”
Currently, Singapore’s population stands at 5.3 million with the resident population making up around three million, and the remaining is accounted for by transient foreigners.
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
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