Malaysians make up 44% of foreign-born population here, followed by Chinese nationals at 18%
By Tan Ee Lyn, Senior Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 19 Jan 2020
Malaysians form the biggest group of migrants living and working in Singapore, accounting for almost half - or 44 per cent - of the foreign-born population here, United Nations figures show.
They are followed by Chinese nationals, who make up around 18 per cent of the migrant pool. Together, the two groups account for over six in 10 migrants in Singapore.
Rounding off the top three sources of migrants is Indonesia, which made up 6.4 per cent of the foreign-born pool last year.
They are followed by Indians (5.9 per cent), Pakistanis (5.1 per cent) and Bangladeshis (3.2 per cent). Those from Hong Kong and Macau together make up 3.3 per cent.
This diverse group of migrants has tripled in the last 30 years from 1990 to last year, according to figures from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The rise from 727,262 to 2.16 million has, in turn, boosted Singapore's total population from three million to 5.7 million last year.
The UN figures reveal, for the first time, where migrants in Singapore were originally from. They include those who have acquired the Singapore passport, such as Haidilao hotpot founder Zhang Yong, a newly minted Singaporean who was born in Sichuan.
Others in the group include permanent residents, work pass holders and their dependants, as well as students.
The Singapore Government has never published figures on the origins of migrants by country. Its official figures are only by region.
Its Population In Brief 2019 report shows that among those given permanent residency and citizenship in 2018, for example, 62.5 per cent and 61.6 per cent respectively were originally from South-east Asian countries, while 31.2 per cent and 32.4 per cent were from other Asian countries.
Sociologist Zhan Shaohua said the UN data shows the diversity in Singapore. "This will, in turn, increase people's understanding of each other's cultural differences,"said Dr Zhan from Nanyang Technological University.
A significant feature of the UN figures is that Malaysia has consistently been the top source of migrants - debunking the widespread perception that the overwhelming majority of foreigners in Singapore are from China and South Asia.
In the last 30 years, the proportion of Malaysians has shot up, to 44 per cent last year from 27 per cent in 1990. In absolute numbers, the group has ballooned five times to almost one million - 952,261 - last year, from 195,072 in 1990.
As for China-born migrants, the proportion has hovered around 18 per cent, except in 1990, when it was 21 per cent. This works out to 380,145 last year, from 150,447 in 1990. Indonesia stands at No. 3, with its proportion more than doubling to 6.4 per cent last year from 3 per cent in 1990. In absolute numbers, this stood at 138,338 last year from 21,520 in 1990.
The UN figures are based on public data from Singapore's Department of Statistics. Most countries also share with the United Nations partial lists of the origins of their migrants.
A National Population and Talent Division spokesman said: "Numerous factors affect the mix of countries from which people come to work or settle in Singapore. They include the attractiveness of Singapore through family ties, economic needs, geographical proximity, as well as the situation in their home country and other possible destinations."
By Tan Ee Lyn, Senior Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 19 Jan 2020
They are followed by Chinese nationals, who make up around 18 per cent of the migrant pool. Together, the two groups account for over six in 10 migrants in Singapore.
Rounding off the top three sources of migrants is Indonesia, which made up 6.4 per cent of the foreign-born pool last year.
They are followed by Indians (5.9 per cent), Pakistanis (5.1 per cent) and Bangladeshis (3.2 per cent). Those from Hong Kong and Macau together make up 3.3 per cent.
This diverse group of migrants has tripled in the last 30 years from 1990 to last year, according to figures from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The rise from 727,262 to 2.16 million has, in turn, boosted Singapore's total population from three million to 5.7 million last year.
The UN figures reveal, for the first time, where migrants in Singapore were originally from. They include those who have acquired the Singapore passport, such as Haidilao hotpot founder Zhang Yong, a newly minted Singaporean who was born in Sichuan.
Others in the group include permanent residents, work pass holders and their dependants, as well as students.
The Singapore Government has never published figures on the origins of migrants by country. Its official figures are only by region.
Its Population In Brief 2019 report shows that among those given permanent residency and citizenship in 2018, for example, 62.5 per cent and 61.6 per cent respectively were originally from South-east Asian countries, while 31.2 per cent and 32.4 per cent were from other Asian countries.
Sociologist Zhan Shaohua said the UN data shows the diversity in Singapore. "This will, in turn, increase people's understanding of each other's cultural differences,"said Dr Zhan from Nanyang Technological University.
A significant feature of the UN figures is that Malaysia has consistently been the top source of migrants - debunking the widespread perception that the overwhelming majority of foreigners in Singapore are from China and South Asia.
In the last 30 years, the proportion of Malaysians has shot up, to 44 per cent last year from 27 per cent in 1990. In absolute numbers, the group has ballooned five times to almost one million - 952,261 - last year, from 195,072 in 1990.
As for China-born migrants, the proportion has hovered around 18 per cent, except in 1990, when it was 21 per cent. This works out to 380,145 last year, from 150,447 in 1990. Indonesia stands at No. 3, with its proportion more than doubling to 6.4 per cent last year from 3 per cent in 1990. In absolute numbers, this stood at 138,338 last year from 21,520 in 1990.
The UN figures are based on public data from Singapore's Department of Statistics. Most countries also share with the United Nations partial lists of the origins of their migrants.
A National Population and Talent Division spokesman said: "Numerous factors affect the mix of countries from which people come to work or settle in Singapore. They include the attractiveness of Singapore through family ties, economic needs, geographical proximity, as well as the situation in their home country and other possible destinations."
Migrants in Singapore: UN report debunks popular perceptions
By Tan Ee Lyn, Senior Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 19 Jan 2020
A United Nations report, which tracks migration patterns worldwide for the last 30 years, paints a picture of migrants in Singapore that debunks a few popular perceptions among Singaporeans.
The cumulative estimates from 1990 to 2019, obtained by The Sunday Times, highlight two particularly misguided beliefs.
Myth 1: Chinese nationals form the biggest pool of migrants in the country.
Reality: Malaysians top the list, making up almost half of the migrants in the last three decades.
Myth 2: Indian nationals are a close second to Chinese nationals.
Reality: Indian nationals form just 5.9 per cent of the total migrant pool, with 5.1 per cent from Pakistan and 3.2 per cent from Bangladesh. Often, Singaporeans view citizens of the three nations synonymously as Indians.
By mid-2019, they made up 14 per cent of the migrant pool, not far behind the 18 per cent of Chinese nationals.
Beyond helping to disprove widely held notions about the composition of Singapore's migrant population, the figures from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs show that Singapore's immigration policy has stayed relatively consistent in the last 30 years.
Those from neighbouring Malaysia form the biggest group, accounting for 44 per cent or almost half of the foreign-born population.
Add the 18 per cent of Chinese nationals and together, both account for more than six out of 10 migrants in Singapore.
Indonesia rounds up the top three on the migrants' list, followed by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Macau and others.
WHY DO SINGAPOREANS CLING TO THESE MISPERCEPTIONS?
Researchers and social scientists say these popular misperceptions arise partly because Singaporeans have never really considered Malaysians to be migrants or foreigners, owing to the cultural similarities they share and the historically porous border between the two countries.
With Malaysians being the "silent majority", foreigners like Chinese and Indian nationals stand out and appear overwhelmingly dominant even though actual numbers show otherwise.
The lack of public data does not help combat such misperceptions.
The situation is exacerbated by reports, online and offline, of isolated incidents of antisocial behaviour of foreigners.
"When someone comes here from another region and acts in a different way, the person stands out," said geographer and mapping consultant Mok Ly Yng.
"After a while, people start noticing them rather than the silent majority. It's more a perception thing rather than mathematical."
Recent examples include an Indian expatriate who berated his condominium's security guard over a parking incident. It drew wide coverage in the media as well as on social media.
Amid questions about his citizenship status, the Ministry of Home Affairs later revealed that he is a Singaporean who obtained his citizenship under the Family Ties scheme.
The UN defines a migrant as anyone who is foreign-born, a definition that includes permanent residents, foreigners who work here and their dependants, students, as well as naturalised citizens in Singapore.
In the last three decades, the figures show the proportion of Malaysians has soared, from 27 per cent in 1990 to 44 per cent last year.
As for China-born migrants, the proportion has hovered around 18 per cent for almost the entire 30 years, except in 1990, when it rose to 21 per cent.
Indonesia has consistently been Singapore's third-biggest source of migrants, with 138,338 of its people making up 6.4 per cent of the foreign-born pool last year.
They are followed by Indians (5.9 per cent), Pakistanis (5.1 per cent) and Bangladeshis (3.2 per cent). Those from Hong Kong and Macau together make up 3.3 per cent.
MALAYSIANS AND CHINESE INTEGRATE MORE EASILY
Social scientists say it is a no-brainer that Malaysia and China lead the pack, as their nationals are seen to integrate more easily into Singaporean society.
"Malaysians in many ways are culturally similar to Singaporeans and it is no wonder that labour policies favour their employment here," said Dr Mathew Mathews, senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies.
Labour policies, for instance, allow a higher age limit of 58 for Malaysians applying for work permits, while it is capped at 50 for all other foreigners. Employers must also buy a $5,000 security bond for every foreign worker they employ, except Malaysians.
Migrants from China, meanwhile, "assumedly will find it easier to integrate in Singapore considering the ease of using Mandarin here and the fact that around three-quarters of our population are ethnically Chinese," Dr Mathews added.
Nanyang Technological University sociologist Zhan Shaohua said the consistent mix of migrant source countries over 30 years reflects Singapore's policy of ensuring immigration numbers do not change or impact on the local ethnic proportions of Chinese, Malays, Indians and others.
The UN data also reflects Singapore's policy of drawing workers from countries such as Bangladesh, the Philippines and Indonesia for jobs that Singaporeans shun, such as construction and domestic work.
It also sources for workers from some countries for a particular industry, for example, construction workers from Bangladesh, domestic workers from the Philippines and Indonesia, Dr Zhan noted.
A spokesman for the National Population and Talent Division said the Government has a list of source countries for work permit holders in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services sector, as well as for foreign domestic workers.
"Regardless of country of origin, integration efforts between locals and foreigners continue to be important in order to strengthen our social cohesion and the vibrancy of our diverse and inclusive society," he added.
TIGHTER IMMIGRATION RULES IN 2009, FEWER MIGRANTS IN 2019
The UN estimates show migrant numbers from all source countries dipped last year.
The total shrank 15 per cent to 2,155,653 in 2019, from 2,543,638 in 2015. It was 2,164,794 in 2010.
The UN office, when contacted, said the 2019 figures could be an underestimate and may be revised when more data is available.
Singapore researchers said it may also partly reflect the tightening of immigration policies in 2009.
The pace of growth of Singapore's population has slowed since.
Between 2004 and 2009, total population grew by 164,000 on average each year.
But between 2009 and 2015, the annual growth shrank to 91,000, and it decreased further to 48,000 each year between 2015 and mid-2019, said Dr Zhan.
In 2004, the Government relaxed immigration rules to make up for falling birth rates, and from 2005 to 2009, around 400,000 people were made new Singaporeans and PRs.
But the rules were tightened in 2009 after Singaporeans fretted over competition for jobs, school places and rising property prices. People were also frustrated with overcrowding in buses and trains.
With Malaysians, however, such tensions seem almost non-existent.
Historian and law professor Kevin Tan, 58, noted that Malaysians have always been a part of Singapore's social fabric, with shared languages, food and culture.
"When I was at NUS (1982-1986), one-third of my classmates were Malaysians," said Dr Tan, adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore's law faculty.
By Tan Ee Lyn, Senior Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 19 Jan 2020
A United Nations report, which tracks migration patterns worldwide for the last 30 years, paints a picture of migrants in Singapore that debunks a few popular perceptions among Singaporeans.
The cumulative estimates from 1990 to 2019, obtained by The Sunday Times, highlight two particularly misguided beliefs.
Myth 1: Chinese nationals form the biggest pool of migrants in the country.
Reality: Malaysians top the list, making up almost half of the migrants in the last three decades.
Myth 2: Indian nationals are a close second to Chinese nationals.
Reality: Indian nationals form just 5.9 per cent of the total migrant pool, with 5.1 per cent from Pakistan and 3.2 per cent from Bangladesh. Often, Singaporeans view citizens of the three nations synonymously as Indians.
By mid-2019, they made up 14 per cent of the migrant pool, not far behind the 18 per cent of Chinese nationals.
Beyond helping to disprove widely held notions about the composition of Singapore's migrant population, the figures from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs show that Singapore's immigration policy has stayed relatively consistent in the last 30 years.
Those from neighbouring Malaysia form the biggest group, accounting for 44 per cent or almost half of the foreign-born population.
Add the 18 per cent of Chinese nationals and together, both account for more than six out of 10 migrants in Singapore.
Indonesia rounds up the top three on the migrants' list, followed by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Macau and others.
WHY DO SINGAPOREANS CLING TO THESE MISPERCEPTIONS?
Researchers and social scientists say these popular misperceptions arise partly because Singaporeans have never really considered Malaysians to be migrants or foreigners, owing to the cultural similarities they share and the historically porous border between the two countries.
With Malaysians being the "silent majority", foreigners like Chinese and Indian nationals stand out and appear overwhelmingly dominant even though actual numbers show otherwise.
The lack of public data does not help combat such misperceptions.
The situation is exacerbated by reports, online and offline, of isolated incidents of antisocial behaviour of foreigners.
"When someone comes here from another region and acts in a different way, the person stands out," said geographer and mapping consultant Mok Ly Yng.
"After a while, people start noticing them rather than the silent majority. It's more a perception thing rather than mathematical."
Recent examples include an Indian expatriate who berated his condominium's security guard over a parking incident. It drew wide coverage in the media as well as on social media.
Amid questions about his citizenship status, the Ministry of Home Affairs later revealed that he is a Singaporean who obtained his citizenship under the Family Ties scheme.
The UN defines a migrant as anyone who is foreign-born, a definition that includes permanent residents, foreigners who work here and their dependants, students, as well as naturalised citizens in Singapore.
In the last three decades, the figures show the proportion of Malaysians has soared, from 27 per cent in 1990 to 44 per cent last year.
As for China-born migrants, the proportion has hovered around 18 per cent for almost the entire 30 years, except in 1990, when it rose to 21 per cent.
Indonesia has consistently been Singapore's third-biggest source of migrants, with 138,338 of its people making up 6.4 per cent of the foreign-born pool last year.
They are followed by Indians (5.9 per cent), Pakistanis (5.1 per cent) and Bangladeshis (3.2 per cent). Those from Hong Kong and Macau together make up 3.3 per cent.
MALAYSIANS AND CHINESE INTEGRATE MORE EASILY
Social scientists say it is a no-brainer that Malaysia and China lead the pack, as their nationals are seen to integrate more easily into Singaporean society.
"Malaysians in many ways are culturally similar to Singaporeans and it is no wonder that labour policies favour their employment here," said Dr Mathew Mathews, senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies.
Labour policies, for instance, allow a higher age limit of 58 for Malaysians applying for work permits, while it is capped at 50 for all other foreigners. Employers must also buy a $5,000 security bond for every foreign worker they employ, except Malaysians.
Migrants from China, meanwhile, "assumedly will find it easier to integrate in Singapore considering the ease of using Mandarin here and the fact that around three-quarters of our population are ethnically Chinese," Dr Mathews added.
Nanyang Technological University sociologist Zhan Shaohua said the consistent mix of migrant source countries over 30 years reflects Singapore's policy of ensuring immigration numbers do not change or impact on the local ethnic proportions of Chinese, Malays, Indians and others.
The UN data also reflects Singapore's policy of drawing workers from countries such as Bangladesh, the Philippines and Indonesia for jobs that Singaporeans shun, such as construction and domestic work.
It also sources for workers from some countries for a particular industry, for example, construction workers from Bangladesh, domestic workers from the Philippines and Indonesia, Dr Zhan noted.
A spokesman for the National Population and Talent Division said the Government has a list of source countries for work permit holders in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services sector, as well as for foreign domestic workers.
"Regardless of country of origin, integration efforts between locals and foreigners continue to be important in order to strengthen our social cohesion and the vibrancy of our diverse and inclusive society," he added.
TIGHTER IMMIGRATION RULES IN 2009, FEWER MIGRANTS IN 2019
The UN estimates show migrant numbers from all source countries dipped last year.
The total shrank 15 per cent to 2,155,653 in 2019, from 2,543,638 in 2015. It was 2,164,794 in 2010.
The UN office, when contacted, said the 2019 figures could be an underestimate and may be revised when more data is available.
Singapore researchers said it may also partly reflect the tightening of immigration policies in 2009.
The pace of growth of Singapore's population has slowed since.
Between 2004 and 2009, total population grew by 164,000 on average each year.
But between 2009 and 2015, the annual growth shrank to 91,000, and it decreased further to 48,000 each year between 2015 and mid-2019, said Dr Zhan.
In 2004, the Government relaxed immigration rules to make up for falling birth rates, and from 2005 to 2009, around 400,000 people were made new Singaporeans and PRs.
But the rules were tightened in 2009 after Singaporeans fretted over competition for jobs, school places and rising property prices. People were also frustrated with overcrowding in buses and trains.
With Malaysians, however, such tensions seem almost non-existent.
Historian and law professor Kevin Tan, 58, noted that Malaysians have always been a part of Singapore's social fabric, with shared languages, food and culture.
"When I was at NUS (1982-1986), one-third of my classmates were Malaysians," said Dr Tan, adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore's law faculty.
* Singaporeans to get to shape curriculum new citizens undergo before getting their ICs
MCCY to recruit 100 Singaporeans for work group till Feb 21; members can give input on Singapore Citizenship Journey
By Melody Zaccheus, Housing and Heritage Correspondent, The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2020
How should new citizens of Singapore behave? What values, norms and rights should they uphold? What are some of their obligations to the city and their fellow Singaporeans?
Singaporeans will be able to weigh in and shape the mandatory curriculum which new citizens undergo before becoming full-fledged members of Singaporean society.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) launched a recruitment drive for 100 Singaporeans to form a work group to give input on the Singapore Citizenship Journey. Singaporeans can apply online to be part of the work group from now till Feb 21.
MCCY said the work group will be diverse and reflective of Singapore society. While the authorities have taken in feedback from the public over the years, the work group is the first of its kind.
Initially introduced in 2011, the Singapore Citizenship Journey is designed to deepen understanding of Singapore's history and culture via interactive online modules on topics such as the country's national symbols and policies, and experiential learning programmes such as visits to museums.
Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu, who spoke about her ministry's various initiatives at its annual year-in-review session with the media, said the review is timely as the National Integration Council marked its 10th anniversary last year.
She said: "It is a good process for us to engage Singaporeans and have a common understanding of what a new Singaporean would look like. So we have decided to have an engagement and co-creation process."
She noted that Singaporeans have a lot of views on this topic.
For instance, some have given feedback that becoming a citizen goes beyond simply marrying a Singaporean. Instead, it also involves understanding the Republic's social norms, if they have studied or lived here long enough, or if they have served national service.
All Singapore citizenship applicants aged 16 to 60 who have been granted in-principle approval by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, undertake the Singapore Citizenship Journey, which they are given about two months to complete.
Ms Fu said work group participants should expect to be involved in discussion groups from March to July this year. The suggestions could be implemented into the programme from the end of the year.
When asked if speaking English should be one of the hallmarks of Singaporean identity, she noted that it will continue to be Singapore's working language so that social and recreational settings are inclusive for all races.
She added: "Unlike many other countries where the language of the major race is used as a national language, we need to use a common language so that all races can communicate with one another.
"But we also affirm the rights for each of the races to have full access to its own language, through our schools and cultural institutions, because we believe mother tongue is the best way to access important values passed down by generations. Also, heritage values are carried through the language."
Separately, she announced participation figures in the arts, culture and heritage sectors. She said 13.6 million people attended arts and culture events in 2018, surpassing the 13.2 million mark for 2017.
Additionally, results from a heritage awareness survey, conducted in 2018 among more than 2,000 Singaporeans, found that 88 per cent of Singaporeans believe it is important to preserve the country's intangible cultural heritage. This was a jump from 74 per cent in 2014.
The Heritage Awareness Survey, which is commissioned every three to five years, also found that close to eight in 10 Singaporeans participated in heritage and cultural activities across 2018.
When asked about MCCY's engagement with the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community through its various activities, Ms Fu said her ministry recognises that society is diverse. "We are hoping through all these activities that we hold, that different people will come together and will get to know one another.
"There are areas which are sensitive because they involve very deep-seated values and beliefs, and like many of our activities and our programmes, we do not go out to try to convince one another to change your beliefs or to convert your beliefs."
She said embracing diversity is about looking past differences, coming together to do good and appreciating each other for what each individual brings to society.
MCCY to recruit 100 Singaporeans for work group till Feb 21; members can give input on Singapore Citizenship Journey
By Melody Zaccheus, Housing and Heritage Correspondent, The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2020
How should new citizens of Singapore behave? What values, norms and rights should they uphold? What are some of their obligations to the city and their fellow Singaporeans?
Singaporeans will be able to weigh in and shape the mandatory curriculum which new citizens undergo before becoming full-fledged members of Singaporean society.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) launched a recruitment drive for 100 Singaporeans to form a work group to give input on the Singapore Citizenship Journey. Singaporeans can apply online to be part of the work group from now till Feb 21.
MCCY said the work group will be diverse and reflective of Singapore society. While the authorities have taken in feedback from the public over the years, the work group is the first of its kind.
Initially introduced in 2011, the Singapore Citizenship Journey is designed to deepen understanding of Singapore's history and culture via interactive online modules on topics such as the country's national symbols and policies, and experiential learning programmes such as visits to museums.
Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu, who spoke about her ministry's various initiatives at its annual year-in-review session with the media, said the review is timely as the National Integration Council marked its 10th anniversary last year.
She said: "It is a good process for us to engage Singaporeans and have a common understanding of what a new Singaporean would look like. So we have decided to have an engagement and co-creation process."
She noted that Singaporeans have a lot of views on this topic.
For instance, some have given feedback that becoming a citizen goes beyond simply marrying a Singaporean. Instead, it also involves understanding the Republic's social norms, if they have studied or lived here long enough, or if they have served national service.
All Singapore citizenship applicants aged 16 to 60 who have been granted in-principle approval by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, undertake the Singapore Citizenship Journey, which they are given about two months to complete.
Ms Fu said work group participants should expect to be involved in discussion groups from March to July this year. The suggestions could be implemented into the programme from the end of the year.
When asked if speaking English should be one of the hallmarks of Singaporean identity, she noted that it will continue to be Singapore's working language so that social and recreational settings are inclusive for all races.
She added: "Unlike many other countries where the language of the major race is used as a national language, we need to use a common language so that all races can communicate with one another.
"But we also affirm the rights for each of the races to have full access to its own language, through our schools and cultural institutions, because we believe mother tongue is the best way to access important values passed down by generations. Also, heritage values are carried through the language."
Separately, she announced participation figures in the arts, culture and heritage sectors. She said 13.6 million people attended arts and culture events in 2018, surpassing the 13.2 million mark for 2017.
Additionally, results from a heritage awareness survey, conducted in 2018 among more than 2,000 Singaporeans, found that 88 per cent of Singaporeans believe it is important to preserve the country's intangible cultural heritage. This was a jump from 74 per cent in 2014.
The Heritage Awareness Survey, which is commissioned every three to five years, also found that close to eight in 10 Singaporeans participated in heritage and cultural activities across 2018.
When asked about MCCY's engagement with the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community through its various activities, Ms Fu said her ministry recognises that society is diverse. "We are hoping through all these activities that we hold, that different people will come together and will get to know one another.
"There are areas which are sensitive because they involve very deep-seated values and beliefs, and like many of our activities and our programmes, we do not go out to try to convince one another to change your beliefs or to convert your beliefs."
She said embracing diversity is about looking past differences, coming together to do good and appreciating each other for what each individual brings to society.
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