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Comments From Mr Wong Kan Seng, Minister For Home Affairs, in Response to Media Queries on Population Issues, Friday 3 September 04

Role of Minister in charge of Population Issues

"The Prime Minister has asked me to take charge of population issues and coordinate the efforts of the ministries and agencies whose policies and programs have an impact on our population. As governing becomes more complex today, there are increasingly more matters which cut across multiple ministries. The population issues are one such example.

The population issues are important for Singapore because a declining and ageing population has serious consequences for our economy and society. Many critical issues, such as the size and productivity of our workforce, the importance of having a core of Singaporeans who will defend our country and who will provide adequate social, emotional and financial support to fellow Singaporeans, depend on the size and vitality of our population.

Each population issue cuts across many Government Ministries. Just look at the recently launched parenthood measures. They involve schemes from MOF, MOM, MCYS, MOH and MND. For the measures to be effectively and smoothly implemented, it is important to ensure that the policies and efforts of different Ministries be well coordinated and gaps in our coverage be closed.

The various population issues are complex and inter-related. We cannot consider each of them in isolation. Rather, we have to think and plan holistically, on how each of them contributes towards a larger population objective and also how they may affect one another.

That is why the PM has asked me to play a leadership and coordinating role on population issues.

My role in this is to review the Government's population and demographic objectives, and chart new directions for a comprehensive approach to these population challenges. In so doing, we need to balance the needs for economic vitality with the needs for a socially cohesive society made up of Singaporeans. The population challenges are multi-faceted and complex. These involve the holistic development of policies in marriage and parenthood, immigration, and active ageing. We also want to find a way to connect overseas Singaporeans back to Singapore.

Specific Issues We Are Dealing With

We are not dealing with a single issue but a group of complex issues. Let me cite some of them.

1] Marriage & Parenthood. The first, which many are familiar with, has to do with the fertility rate. The recent package of measures announced by the Government aims to create a supportive environment for families. However, the package alone is not enough. We recognise that getting married and having children are personal decisions which the Government cannot make for Singaporeans. But in the longer term, we hope to shift social attitudes towards marriage and parenthood. We hope Singaporeans would strike a judicious balance of developing their careers and the joys of being parents.

2] Immigration. To keep up our economic vitality to sustain economic growth, we also have to recognise that it is not enough to depend on Singaporeans to shoulder this task, as our total fertility rate has been on the decline. We therefore have also to recognise that we should have an active policy of immigration. We must continue to welcome foreigners whose diverse abilities and skills can contribute to the vibrancy and energy of our country. For those who want to make Singapore their home, we must help them settle in and integrate with us. We should also have policies to encourage those who are suitable to take up permanent residence and citizenship.

3] Ageing. Because of increasing life expectancy among our people, and our low fertility rate, we will have a growing number of senior citizens. They will have specific needs and concerns. We will need to help Singaporeans as well as the society as a whole to prepare for this, so that when they retire from the workforce, they will stay healthy and remain active socially, and for some, even economically.

4] Engagement of Overseas Singaporeans. With globalisation, more and more Singaporeans will be studying or working and living outside Singapore. We should find ways to help them remain connected to Singapore."

OTHER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Need for a Larger Population

Q1: Is there a population target? What would be a large enough population for Singapore? How many PRs and SCs is the government thinking of attracting?

A1: We do not have a hard numerical target or quota. Our aim is not to hit a specific number, but to build a competitive economy as well as a vibrant and cohesive society with a core of citizens.

Q2: Can Singapore accommodate a larger population? Won't there be more competition for schools, HDB flats, etc?

A2: Yes. Singapore can comfortably accommodate a larger population. We can do so through many ways, such as land reclamation, having taller buildings, and extending public transport networks. Singapore is still much less congested than other cities like New York City, inner London, Paris and Hong Kong island. With a larger population, there would of course have to be more essential services provided, such as places in schools, public housing, and hospital beds. These would continue to be accessible to all Singaporeans.

Q3: Why do we need to raise our fertility rate or import more foreigners when there are so many unemployed now?

A3: It is not the size of the population but the level of economic activity that determines how many are unemployed. We need a critical mass of people and a large pool of talent will make Singapore more attractive as a business location for companies, and in turn create more good jobs for all Singaporeans. It will lead to greater diversity and vibrancy in our society. Population policies are long-term initiatives. Babies take many years to grow up. Therefore we cannot just look at the short-term situation, but have to consider the long-term future of Singapore.

Immigration Policies

Q4: PM Lee said in his 2004 budget Statement that the Government would also look at other ways of boosting our population, in particular, opening our doors to immigrants who can contribute to Singapore. Thereafter, we have to encourage them to become permanent residents, and then to take up citizenship. What are some of the plans?

A4: We have to take a closer look at the ways which a foreigner can contribute to Singapore. To do this, we will need to broaden the criteria, beyond formal educational qualifications and immediate economic contributions, for evaluating whether and how a foreigner can contribute to Singapore. We will also need to see how we can help them and their families settle down and integrate with our society.

We will continue to treat foreigners living and working in Singapore well. But we should make some calibrations such that Singaporeans have more privileges than PRs, who will in turn have more privileges than other foreigners. This is fair to our citizens and will also provide more incentives for suitable immigrants to take up PR and then citizenship.

Q5: How is the immigration approach going to help the fertility issue, given the observation by some that the procreation package might not help boost the number of babies born each year?

A5: We want to build a competitive economy and a vibrant and cohesive society. Singaporeans, as well as foreigners who are committed to making Singapore their home, can help us realise this vision. The two approaches, i.e. having more babies and bringing in more foreigners and making them citizens, are therefore complementary.

Q6: What are some of the possible criteria besides educational qualifications and immediate economic contributions?

A6: Currently, we evaluate a foreigner on the basis of his or her formal educational qualifications and immediate economic contributions to Singapore through the type of work pass he holds. But there are those who may not have excellent academic qualifications but can contribute to our society. We should therefore consider broadening the set of criteria so that they are not overly focussed on academic qualifications. For example, we can consider factors such as how the applicant and the rest of his or her family, for example spouse and children, can integrate with our society and contribute to Singapore's present and future growth. The ability to communicate effectively with Singaporeans and the time spent in Singapore would also affect how well a person can fit into, and be accepted by Singapore society. Singaporeans must make them feel welcomed too.

Q7: How many foreigners (with PRs) are there in Singapore now and what age groups are they in? Of the foreigners in this group, how many have become Singaporeans and what age groups are they in? Which countries do they mainly come from and what kind of occupations do they hold?

A7: There are currently just over 3 million Singaporeans and about 350,000 PRs in Singapore. There are another 800,000 foreigners residing in Singapore on various types of long term passes. Last year, about 6,500 foreigners became Singaporeans.

Q8: Won't admitting more foreigners upset our population composition and social cohesion?

A8: In revising the criteria, we will take into consideration how the applicant and the rest of the applicant's family, for example spouse and children, can integrate with Singapore society. The ability to communicate effectively with Singaporeans and the time spent in Singapore would affect how well a person can fit into, and be accepted by Singapore society. At the same time, we need to make greater effort in helping them and their families to settle down and integrate with our society.

Q9: What kind of an environment needs to exist/be created in Singapore before immigrants are attracted to this place? Why should foreigners take up PRs and citizenship? There does not seem to be much perceptible differences between a PR and a SC. It seems that while SCs are no worse off, the benefits and privileges that PRs enjoy have been reduced. Why should a foreigner apply for PR then?

A9: Singapore offers a stable and non-corrupt government, an efficient infrastructure that is conducive for business, an excellent education system and a safe and secure home for its residents. It is an ideal location to start a business, make a living and raise a family. Foreigners who can help Singapore progress and who are committed to making Singapore their home, will be welcomed to apply for residence in Singapore.

Let us not forget that the forefathers of many Singaporeans came to Singapore from China, India, the Malay archipelago during Singapore's early years. Their contributions subsequently helped transformed Singapore from a fishing village island into a modern country. So in the same way, the contributions of the new residents will help Singapore soar to greater heights.

Source: Ministry of Home Affairs News Release 3 Sep 2004