The Population Of Singapore

The third edition of this book presents a most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of population trends and patterns in Singapore since its foundation in 1819 to the present day. Separate chapters are devoted to population growth and distribution, changing population structure, migration, mortality trends and differentials, marriage trends and patterns, divorce trends and patterns, fertility trends and differentials, family planning, abortion and sterilisation, fertility policies and programmes, immigration policies and programmes, labour force and future population trends. The strength of the book lies in the author's deep familiarity with the subject acquired through spme personal involvement in the compilation of demographic statistics, as well as the formulation of population policies for the country.

Human populations, to a skilled analyst, tell a dramatic story: In what direction is a country headed? What are its strengths and weaknesses, its potential disaster areas, its most promising human resources? What do the changes observed here—from the early history of Singapore to the present time—mean to the future of the country and the region? In South Asian studies, which have suffered from a lack of data, Singapore Population in Transition is a major contribution. It is more than the best and latest statistical study of the area. The author writes with the insight of a resident observer and throws light on race and culture contacts, cultural accommodation among the peoples, separatism, urbanization and political history.

Singapore, like many other advanced economies, has a relatively low, and declining, birth-rate. One consequence of this, and a consequence also of the successful economy, is that migrants are being drawn in, and are becoming an increasing proportion of the overall population. This book examines this crucial development, and assesses its likely impact on Singapore society, politics and the state. It shows that, although Singapore is a multi-ethnic society, migration and the changing ethnic mix are causing increasing strains, putting new demands on housing, education and social welfare, and changing the make-up of the workforce, where the government is responding with policies designed to attract the right sort of talent. The book discusses the growing opposition to migration, and explores how the factors which have underpinned Singapore’s success over recent decades, including a cohesive elite, with a clearly focused ideology, a tightly controlled political system and strong continuity of government, are at risk of being undermined by the population changes and their effects. The book also compares the position in Singapore with other East Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, which are also experiencing population changes with potentially far-reaching consequences.

This book depicts the evolution of Singapore’s family and population landscape in the last half a century, the related public policies, and future challenges. Since the country gained independence in 1965, family and population policies have been integral to her nation-building strategies. The chapters discuss the changes in population compositions, family structures, relations, and values among major ethnic groups. They also discuss policies for vulnerable populations such as female-headed households, cross-cultural families, same-sex partnering, the elderly, and low-income families.

Presents a comprehensive analysis of population trends and patterns in Singapore since its foundation in 1819 to the present day.

The second edition of Population Policies and Programmes in Singapore presents an up-to-date and comprehensive account of the government’s initiatives to influence the course of fertility, and hence the rate of population growth in the island-state of Singapore since the 1960s. The varied population issues and consequences associated with the prolonged below-replacement fertility are discussed in detail. The strength of the book lies in the author’s intimate familiarity with the subject acquired through some personal involvement in the formulation of population policies for the country.

Monographic collection of contributions on population policy in Singapore - comments on legislation, economic and social development trends, historical and contemporary population dynamics, family planning, fertility behaviour, health services, etc. References and statistical tables.