In 2020, there were about 2.52 million immigrants, here classified as people living in a country in which they were not born in, in Singapore out of a total population of about 5.7 million. Immigrants made up a significant share of the population and play a crucial role in Singapore, where the birth rate was among the lowest in the world.

Singapore’s immigrant population The immigrant population of Singapore made up slightly more than 40 percent of the total population of the country in 2018. Throughout its history as a port city, Singapore had been a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. Currently, as one of Asia’s most important economies, it attracts people from all over the world and of different socioeconomic backgrounds to seek better opportunities. The immigrant population is largely of Asian origin, with neighboring Malaysians making up the majority.

Of expats and migrant workers Lacking in natural resources, Singapore’s government has long stressed that its most important resource is its people. However, with declining birth rates and low population growth, the country increasingly relies on immigrants to help shoulder the economic burden. In 2020, Singapore’s foreign workforce stood at just under 1.23 million, out of which about 351 thousand were classified as skilled labor. Most of the foreign workforce were employed in sectors that were deemed unappealing to Singaporeans, such as in construction and the service industry, or as domestic help.

In 2020, Malaysians made up the largest share of Asian immigrants in Singapore, with around 1.13 million people. In that year, close to 43 percent of the Singapore population were immigrants. This includes both the non-resident population as well as permanent residents, students, and work pass holders.

United States Immigrants Admitted: Singapore data was reported at 818.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 812.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: Singapore data is updated yearly, averaging 743.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,204.000 Person in 2005 and a record low of 355.000 Person in 1999. United States Immigrants Admitted: Singapore data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G087: Immigration.

Historical chart and dataset showing Singapore immigration statistics by year from 1960 to 2015.

Singapore net migration for 2024 was 20,011, a 25.87% decline from 2023.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Singapore net migration for 2023 was <strong>26,996</strong>, a <strong>87.43% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Singapore net migration for 2022 was <strong>214,842</strong>, a <strong>587.94% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Singapore net migration for 2021 was <strong>-44,030.00</strong>, a <strong>69.75% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the total number of immigrants less the annual number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens. Data are five-year estimates.

In 2020, there were about 26.8 thousand immigrants in Singapore aged 0 to 4 years. The biggest number of immigrants were in the 40 to 44 age group, with around 326 thousand people.

Singapore SG: Net Migration data was reported at 298,448.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 337,932.000 Person for 2012. Singapore SG: Net Migration data is updated yearly, averaging 193,369.000 Person from Dec 1962 (Median) to 2017, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 449,245.000 Person in 2007 and a record low of -363.000 Person in 1967. Singapore SG: Net Migration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the total number of immigrants less the annual number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens. Data are five-year estimates.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

This statistic presents the results of a survey on perceived percentage of immigrants in Singapore as of 2018. According to data published by Ipsos, respondents in Singapore slightly underestimated the proportion of immigrants in Singapore. On average, the respondents thought that around 41 out of every 100 people in Singapore were immigrants, when the actual share of immigrant population was around 46 percent in Singapore.

Singapore SG: International Migrant Stock: Total data was reported at 2,543,638.000 Person in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,164,794.000 Person for 2010. Singapore SG: International Migrant Stock: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 673,296.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2015, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,543,638.000 Person in 2015 and a record low of 519,246.000 Person in 1960. Singapore SG: International Migrant Stock: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.; ; United Nations Population Division, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: 2012 Revision.; Sum;

Denmark Number of Immigrants: Domestic: Singapore data was reported at 192.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 212.000 Person for 2016. Denmark Number of Immigrants: Domestic: Singapore data is updated yearly, averaging 97.000 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2017, with 38 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 271.000 Person in 2015 and a record low of 26.000 Person in 1989. Denmark Number of Immigrants: Domestic: Singapore data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Denmark. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Denmark – Table DK.G007: Number of Immigrants: by Country.

In 2024, there were approximately ****** Indonesian nationals working in Singapore. This shows a significant decrease compared to 2015, where there were around ****** migrant workers from Indonesia in Singapore.

Norway Immigration: Asia: Singapore data was reported at 229.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 240.000 Person for 2016. Norway Immigration: Asia: Singapore data is updated yearly, averaging 114.000 Person from Dec 1967 (Median) to 2017, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 390.000 Person in 2013 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 1974. Norway Immigration: Asia: Singapore data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G006: Immigration: by Country.

As of 2024, there were a total of 650 thousand Indians living in Singapore. Out of this population, 300 thousand belonged to the Persons of Indian Origin category.

Singapore SG: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data was reported at 45.392 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 42.623 % for 2010. Singapore SG: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 36.274 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 45.392 % in 2015 and a record low of 24.110 % in 1990. Singapore SG: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.; ; United Nations Population Division, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: 2008 Revision.; Weighted average;

As of December 2023, a total of ********* foreigners were employed in Singapore, indicating an increase from the previous year. This was the highest value since 2016.

Singapore SG: UCB Projection: Number of Migrants: Net data was reported at 34,352.000 Person in 2050. This records a decrease from the previous number of 35,619.000 Person for 2049. Singapore SG: UCB Projection: Number of Migrants: Net data is updated yearly, averaging 68,682.000 Person from Jun 1990 (Median) to 2050, with 61 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 86,236.000 Person in 2008 and a record low of 34,352.000 Person in 2050. Singapore SG: UCB Projection: Number of Migrants: Net data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

This line chart displays net migration (people) by date using the aggregation sum in Singapore. The data is about countries per year.

Sweden Number of Immigrants: Male: Singapore data was reported at 159.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 126.000 Person for 2016. Sweden Number of Immigrants: Male: Singapore data is updated yearly, averaging 117.500 Person from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 159.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 60.000 Person in 2005. Sweden Number of Immigrants: Male: Singapore data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Sweden. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sweden – Table SE.G009: Number of Immigrants: by Sex and Country.

This dataset is about countries per year in Singapore. It has 64 rows. It features 4 columns: country, ISO 3 country code, and net migration.

In 2023, there were approximately 286,300 foreigners employed as migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore. That year saw the highest number of migrant domestic workers employed in Singapore in the last decade. Who qualifies as a migrant domestic worker in Singapore? Migrant domestic workers, locally known as maids, make up the second-largest group of foreign workers in Singapore. MDWs must be women between 23 and 50 years from approved source countries, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, who come to Singapore to be helpers in the home. Women applying for this permit must have a minimum of eight years of formal education and undergo medical screening for infectious diseases before being eligible to work. Upon commencing work, their responsibilities range between general housekeeping, childcare duties, and caring for elderly or sick family members. Maids in Singapore – a system rife for abuse? MDWs in Singapore work long hours and are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Singapore does not have a minimum wage for MDWs, with salaries ranging from 300 to 650 Singapore dollars a month, markedly below the average monthly salary in Singapore. These women are wholly dependent on their employers for shelter, food, and income. As there are no regulations for working hours for MDWs, many work more than the average paid hours of a regular employee. Only from January 1, 2023, would employers be legally required to give their MDWs one mandatory rest day a month that could not be replaced by monetary compensation.