Singapore’s population has reached 5.9 million, with the rise mainly driven by non-residents, including work permit holders and migrant domestic workers. The latest figures were published in the National Population and Talent Division’s Population in Brief 2025 report, which highlights major demographic trends in the country.
As of June 2025, the total population had increased by 1.2% compared to the previous year. This growth is faster than the pace seen between 2015 and 2020, when population numbers climbed more slowly. The report shows that while citizens and permanent residents saw only slight changes, non-residents remain the biggest contributors to overall growth.
The citizen population rose only by 0.7%, while the permanent resident (PR) population stayed stable. In contrast, the non-resident population jumped by 2.7% over the year. Officials noted that the growth was largely driven by the demand for foreign workers and domestic helpers.
Much of the non-resident increase is tied to large-scale national projects. Singapore is currently pushing forward with key developments such as Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 and the expansion of new housing estates, both of which rely heavily on migrant labor.
Foreign workers now make up about two-thirds of Singapore’s non-resident population. The rest include migrant domestic workers, dependants, and international students. Officials stressed that this group is diverse and shifts depending on the country’s social and economic needs.
Alongside population growth, the report also revealed that Singapore recorded 29,237 citizen births in 2024. This marked a 1.2% increase compared to the previous year. However, birth numbers remain lower than in earlier periods. On average, there were 30,400 births annually in the past five years, compared to 32,900 in the five years before that.
Another trend noted was that women are having children later in life. The median age of first-time mothers rose from 30.3 years in 2014 to 31.6 years in 2024. Experts say this shift may continue as more women prioritize careers and financial stability before starting families.
The new figures show that while citizen numbers are growing slowly, Singapore’s population growth remains closely linked to migrant workers. This highlights how essential foreign labor is to the country’s economy, especially during periods of rapid development and infrastructure expansion.