Singapore, Sep 29 (PTI) — Singapore's population has reached an unprecedented peak of 6.11 million as of June 2025, marking a 1.2% rise over the past year. This increase is driven primarily by the growth in the non-resident population, comprising mainly foreigners and migrants, according to a government report released on Monday. This milestone marks the first instance of the city-state's population surpassing the 6 million threshold, as documented in the annual Population in Brief report by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) of the Prime Minister’s Office and its partner agencies.
By June 2025, Singapore's resident population reached 4.2 million, which includes 3.66 million citizens and 0.54 million Permanent Residents (PRs). The non-resident population saw a 2.7% increase, rising from 1.86 million in June 2024 to 1.91 million in June 2025 solidifying the necessity of work permit holders and the vital role of migrant domestic workers.
About two-thirds of the non-resident population comprises individuals in the foreign workforce, with the remainder mainly consisting of maids, dependents, and students. The population's dynamic nature reflects economic and social demands, as emphasized in the Channel News Asia report citing the study.
The citizenry expanded by 0.7% from 3.64 million in June 2024. While the local birth rate among citizens is low, the PR population remains stable. Singapore's population has been growing at an annualized rate of 1.5% over the last five years (2020-2025), which is notably higher than the previous five-year period's growth rate of 0.5%.
This population growth is largely attributed to an upsurge in work permit holders in the labor-intensive construction sector. These workers are crucial for major infrastructure projects like the under-construction Changi Terminal 5 and a state-backed initiative to boost housing supply.
The report highlights that Singapore accepts an "intentionally regulated" number of PRs and new citizens each year. All new adult citizens emerge from the PR pool, highlighting the prerequisite of obtaining permanent residency before applying for citizenship.
In the past year, 22,766 people received citizenship, and 35,264 were granted permanent residency. The government intends to sustain an even-paced immigration influx. \ This determination is influenced by factors such as application volume and quality, alongside Singapore's evolving requirements.
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