Daily Lessons from Life 29 January 2013 - Singapore's population could hit 6.9m by 2030, with Singaporean core

"Singapore's population could hit 6.9m by 2030, with Singaporean core - Singapolitics

Jan 29, 2013
SINGAPORE - By 2030, Singapore's population is projected to reach 6.5 to 6.9 million based on a government White Paper released on Tuesday.

This will comprise a resident population of 4.2 to 4.4 million, of which 3.6 to 3.8 million are citizens and the rest Permanent Residents. Non-residents will make up about 2.3 to 2.5 million by then.

To keep Singapore's citizen population from shrinking, Singapore will need 15,000 to 25,000 new citizens each year, assuming the current total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.2.

About 30,000 new Permanent Residents (PR) is needed to keep the PR population stable at 500,000 to 600,000.

These figures were unveiled by the National Population and Talent Division in the widely-anticipated White Paper, which sets out Singapore's population and immigration policies for the future.

A VERY BOLD announcement by the government's think thank on population of the future indeed.

Most Singaporeans expecting otherwise will be dismayed and confused and, some, probably very angry and even felt being betrayed since THEY are already complaining about the 'overcrowding effect' with too many foreigners in Singapore over the last decade!

I honestly HOPE that the government will be able to CONVINCE Singaporeans that this scenario is something ALL Singaporeans should be supporting soon. If not, it may have very significant impact in the GE2016!!

More reasons for pursuing this STRATEGIC goal of 6.9m or 7m population and HOW the many concerns, real as far as current situation is concerned, can be handled without the citizens being overly worried, should be given and convince the voters properly.

My take on what the paper outlined as three pillars for "a sustainable population for a dynamic Singapore" are:

1)A strong and cohesive society
This is a STRETCHED goal for sure given the current antagonism by Singaporeans against foreigners (FTs-Fake ones, FW - those that suppressed local wages and deprive the 'older and less educated Singaporeans' from working the jobs these people are in, foreign employers who hire many more of their own country folks than Singaporeans) is very high.

2)A dynamic and vibrant economy
- where will the GROWTH be coming from till 2030?
= Construction seems like a BIG ONE. So, we need TONS of FWs since Singaporeans do not really want to work in this industry. IF so, ALL of them MUST be on 'by project basis'. The contractors, foreign too!, can bring in the whole village or county of FWs from their Home Country with the knowledge that 'they will ALL go back after the projects are DONE!' Period. NO if or but about this.

= Health Care for the aged! Will the basic pay be set at a high enough level to attract Singaporeans? IF NOT, reliance on the FWs is inevitable. Also, the RESPECT accorded to this type of vocation MUST be raised so more Singaporeans want to do this. To take care of its own old folks in need of health care! IF NOT, it will be another addiction like the kids to maids!!

= Not sure where else the THINK THANK had in mind the growth will be coming from. It will NEED to explain each assumption made to the people to convince them!

3)A high quality living environment
It will be nice to be able to achieve item 1 and 2 in a High QUALITY living environment!
High quality = High Cost of Living? Will Singaporeans able to make commensurate income to live with High Quality? If so, not an issue too! The truth today is: many ordinary citizens are way stressed with high cost of housing, education for kids, overcrowding of public transportation system, etc, etc. With 6.9-7m population, things can get better? A hard sell for me!!

This will be achieved through efforts to support the family unit (is the recently introduced Marriage and Parent Hood package attractive enough? Not sure!), create good jobs for Singaporeans (this is great BUT with the S$16B Investment Sum pulled in in 2012 and of which S$6.2B ONLY create 2.9k (or round up to 3k) of skilled jobs (and how many goes to Singaporeans?)  - can this lofty goal by achieved??) and build a livable city for all ages (hopefully so and NOT the aged and poor living in JB??!!), said the paper.

More details and more helping Singaporeans to REALLY understand how this is a GOOD THING must be the TOP PRIORITY!!

Otherwise, the undesirable slide of the ruling party in the General Election 2016 will continue! That cannot be good for Singapore as the biggest Opposition Party has already declared it is NOT READY to form the next government in 2016!!