History of Singapore in Timeline
Singapore, officially known as the Republic of Singapore, is an island city-state located in Southeast Asia, just north of the equator. It consists of one main island along with 63 smaller islands and islets. Singapore is south of the Malay Peninsula and shares maritime borders with several countries and straits. These include the Strait of Malacca to its west, the Singapore Strait to its south alongside Indonesia's Riau Islands, the South China Sea to its east, and the Straits of Johor and Malaysia to its north.
1914: World War I
Singapore was largely unaffected by World War I (1914-1918).
1915: Singapore Mutiny
The Singapore Mutiny, a rebellion by Muslim sepoys, occurred in 1915.
1921: Construction of Naval Base Begins
Construction of the Singapore Naval Base began in 1921.
1931: Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
The Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 accelerated the construction of the Singapore Naval Base.
1938: Introduction of 377A
In 1938, Section 377A was introduced to the Penal Code during British colonial rule, criminalizing sexual relations between men.
1938: Naval Base Nearing Completion
The Singapore Naval Base, though not fully completed, was the largest dry dock in the world by 1938.
1939: World War II Begins
With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the British Home Fleet was focused on defending Britain, leaving Singapore vulnerable.
February 1942: Battle of Singapore and British Surrender
In February 1942, the British surrendered to Japan in the Battle of Singapore, marking a significant turning point in the war.
1942: Japanese Occupation
In 1942, Singapore was occupied by Japan during World War II and renamed Syonan-to.
August 1945: Japanese Surrender
Japan surrendered to the Allies in August 1945.
September 1945: Formal Surrender in Singapore
Japanese forces formally surrendered in Singapore in September 1945.
1945: Return to British Control
Following Japan's surrender in 1945, Singapore returned to British control as a separate Crown colony.
1945: Planned Liberation
British forces had planned to liberate Singapore in 1945.
February 1946: Execution of Tomoyuki Yamashita
Tomoyuki Yamashita was executed for war crimes in February 1946.
April 1946: End of British Military Administration
British Military Administration in Singapore ended in April 1946, and Singapore became a separate Crown Colony.
1946: Planned Liberation (Continued)
British forces planned to continue the liberation of Singapore if needed into 1946.
July 1947: Establishment of Councils
Separate Executive and Legislative Councils were established in Singapore in July 1947.
1950: End of the Chinese Civil War
In 1950, the Chinese Civil War officially concluded, marking a pivotal point in Chinese history and shaping the political landscape that led to later diplomatic efforts such as the 2015 Ma-Xi meeting hosted by Singapore.
1954: Riots and Unrest
Several riots, including the National Service riots and Hock Lee bus riots, occurred in Singapore in 1954.
1955: First General Election
David Marshall, leader of the Labour Front, won Singapore's first general election in 1955.
1956: Lim Yew Hock becomes Chief Minister
Lim Yew Hock replaced David Marshall as Chief Minister of Singapore in 1956.
1957: Transfer of Islands to Australia
Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands, formerly part of Singapore under British rule, were transferred to Australia in 1957.
May 1959: PAP Landslide Victory
The People's Action Party (PAP) won a landslide victory in the May 1959 general election.
June 1959: Full Internal Self-Government
Singapore achieved full internal self-government in June 1959.
1959: Internal Self-Government
Singapore achieved full internal self-government in 1959, with the People's Action Party (PAP) winning the general election.
1959: Self-Governance
Singapore gained self-governance in 1959.
1959: Self-governance
Singapore was granted self-governance in 1959.
1960: First Olympic Medal
In 1960, weightlifter Tan Howe Liang won Singapore's first Olympic medal, a silver, at the Rome Games.
May 1961: Proposal for Malaysia
In May 1961, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaya's prime minister, proposed the formation of a new federation called Malaysia. This federation would unite current and former British territories, including Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, North Borneo, and Sarawak.
1961: Long-term Water Supply Agreement with Malaysia
In 1961, a long-term water supply agreement was established between Singapore and Malaysia, set to expire in 2061.
September 1963: Singapore Joins Malaysia
On September 16, 1963, Singapore officially joined the Federation of Malaysia, along with Malaya, North Borneo, and Sarawak, under the Malaysia Agreement. Singapore retained a significant degree of autonomy within the federation.
1963: Merger with Malaysia
In 1963, Singapore joined the federation of Malaysia.
1963: Singaporean Identity and Culture
Following independence from the United Kingdom in 1963, the Singaporean government initiated a process to create a unique national identity and culture, as most citizens were initially transient migrant workers with loyalties to their home countries.
1964: Race Riots
In 1964, racial riots erupted in Singapore amidst political and economic tensions between the Singaporean and Malaysian governments.
March 1965: MacDonald House Bombing
On March 10, 1965, a bomb planted by Indonesian saboteurs detonated in MacDonald House, Singapore, resulting in three fatalities and 33 injuries. This attack was the deadliest of numerous bombing incidents during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation.
August 1965: Founding of Singapore
On August 9, 1965, Singapore became an independent nation, the Republic of Singapore, with Lee Kuan Yew as its first prime minister and Yusof bin Ishak as its first president.
August 1965: Singapore's Expulsion and Independence
On August 9, 1965, following political and economic disagreements and escalating communal tensions, the Malaysian Parliament voted to expel Singapore from Malaysia. Singapore subsequently became an independent nation, the Republic of Singapore, on the same day.
1965: Independence
Due to ideological differences, Singapore separated from Malaysia and became an independent nation in 1965.
1965: Beginning of High Growth Period
Singapore's period of high economic growth, averaging 6% annually, began in 1965.
1967: ASEAN Co-Foundation
In 1967, Singapore co-founded the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
1967: Launch of the "Garden City" vision
In 1967, Singapore launched its "Garden City" vision to enhance the quality of life by increasing green spaces in the city-state and combating the decline of natural habitats due to rapid urbanization.
1967: Currency Interchangeability Agreement
The Singapore dollar became interchangeable with the Brunei dollar at par value in 1967.
1968: PAP Election Result
The People's Action Party (PAP) secured 86.7% of the vote in the 1968 general election.
1969: Race Riots
Race riots occurred again in Singapore in 1969.
1970: Abolition of Jury Trials
Jury trials were abolished in Singapore in 1970.
October 1971: British Military Withdrawal from Singapore
In October 1971, Britain withdrew its military forces from Singapore, leaving a minimal presence. Following this, Singapore prioritized the development of its own defense forces, receiving significant support from Israel in training and structuring its military.
1975: Implementation of Singapore Area Licensing Scheme
In 1975, Singapore introduced the world's first congestion pricing scheme, the Singapore Area Licensing Scheme, featuring measures to control car ownership and improve mass transit.
1979: Singapore Symphony Orchestra
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) was established in 1979, playing a significant role in the cultural life of Singapore.
1981: Changi Airport and Singapore Airlines
Singapore Changi Airport opened and Singapore Airlines was established in 1981.
1984: Non-Constituency MPs
Non-constituency members of parliament (NCMPs) were introduced in 1984, allowing up to three losing opposition candidates to be appointed as MPs.
1988: Group Representation Constituencies
Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) were introduced in 1988 to ensure minority representation in parliament.
1989: Women in the Singapore Armed Forces
Since 1989, women have been permitted to serve in military roles previously restricted to men in the Singapore Armed Forces, marking a significant step towards greater gender equality within the military.
1990: Goh Chok Tong becomes PM
Goh Chok Tong succeeded Lee Kuan Yew and became Singapore's second prime minister in 1990.
1990: Nominated MPs
Nominated members of parliament (NMPs) were introduced in 1990, allowing for non-elected, non-partisan MPs.
1991: Elected President
The constitution was amended in 1991 to establish the position of an elected president with veto power over certain financial and appointment matters.
1995: End of High Growth Period
Singapore's period of high economic growth ended in 1995, having significantly raised living standards.
1996: S.League Launch
The Singapore Premier League (formerly the S.League) was launched in 1996, consisting of eight clubs.
1997: Asian Financial Crisis
Singapore experienced the 1997 Asian financial crisis during Goh Chok Tong's premiership.
August 1998: "Little Red Dot"
In August 1998, an article in the Asian Wall Street Journal mentioned that Indonesian President B. J. Habibie referred to Singapore as a "red dot" on a map, a nickname that was later adopted.
1998: Introduction of Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
In 1998, Singapore's congestion pricing system was upgraded to Electronic Road Pricing (ERP), incorporating electronic toll collection, detection, and surveillance technology.
1999: Economic Growth
Singapore experienced sustained economic growth until 1999, with low unemployment and an average real GDP growth of around 8%.
2000: Rhythms: A Singaporean Millennial Anthology of Poetry
The multilingual anthology "Rhythms: A Singaporean Millennial Anthology Of Poetry" was published in 2000, featuring poems translated three times each into Singapore's four official languages.
2001: PAP Election Result
The People's Action Party (PAP) won 75.3% of the vote in the 2001 general election.
2001: Government Initiatives to Boost Fertility
Beginning in 2001, the Singaporean government introduced various programs to encourage higher birth rates, including paid maternity leave, childcare subsidies, and financial incentives.
2003: SARS Outbreak
The 2003 SARS outbreak affected Singapore during Goh Chok Tong's time as prime minister.
2004: Singapore's Aid in Aceh Following Tsunami
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the Singapore Armed Forces provided assistance to Aceh, Indonesia, as part of its regional and international disaster relief efforts.
2004: Capital Punishment Debate in Singapore
In 2004, Amnesty International criticized certain legal provisions related to the death penalty in Singapore, arguing they conflicted with the presumption of innocence. The Singaporean government defended its policy, citing its deterrent effect and emphasizing its role in "saving lives".
2004: Lee Hsien Loong becomes PM
Lee Hsien Loong, the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, became Singapore's third prime minister in 2004.
2006: Changi Airport's First Skytrax Award
Changi Airport received its first Skytrax award for World's Best Airport in 2006, marking its recognition as a top international airport.
2006: International Students in Singapore
In 2006, there were more than 80,000 international students studying in Singapore, including 5,000 Malaysian students who crossed the border daily.
2007: Financial crisis
The 2007-2008 global financial crisis impacted Singapore during Lee Hsien Loong's tenure as prime minister.
2008: Financial crisis
The 2007-2008 global financial crisis impacted Singapore during Lee Hsien Loong's tenure as prime minister.
2008: Table Tennis Silver
Singapore's women's table tennis team won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
2008: Healthcare Funding
In 2008, the government funded 32% of healthcare in Singapore, which accounted for about 3.5% of the country's GDP.
2008: First F1 Night Race
In 2008, Singapore hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix, the Singapore Grand Prix, at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. It was the first F1 night race and the first F1 street race in Asia.
October 2009: ASEAN Basketball League
The ASEAN Basketball League was founded in October 2009, with the Singapore Slingers as one of the inaugural teams.
2009: International Student Cap
In 2009, 20% of university students in Singapore were international students, primarily from ASEAN, China and India. This was the maximum permitted number of international students.
2009: Singapore Navy in Counter-Piracy Efforts
Since 2009, the Republic of Singapore Navy has been deploying ships to the Gulf of Aden to participate in counter-piracy operations as part of Task Force 151, highlighting Singapore's commitment to maritime security.
2009: Removal from OECD "Grey List"
Singapore was removed from the OECD's "grey list" of tax havens in 2009.
2009: First Pink Dot SG
The first Pink Dot SG event, supporting the LGBT community, was held in 2009.
2010: Summer Youth Olympics
Singapore hosted the inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, with 3,600 athletes from 204 nations competing in 26 sports.
2010: Foreign-Born Population
The proportion of foreign-born individuals in Singapore remained largely consistent between the 2010 and 2020 censuses.
2010: Table Tennis World Champions
Singapore's women's table tennis team became world champions in 2010, defeating China at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Russia, ending China's 19-year winning streak.
2010: High Demand for Sand
Singapore's extensive land reclamation led to high sand imports in 2010, around 15 million tons.
2010: Changes in Racial Classification
Before 2010, individuals in Singapore could only register under one race, which was determined by their father's ethnicity. From 2010 onwards, a multi-racial classification system allowed individuals to select one primary and one secondary race.
2010: Declining Fertility Rate
Since 2010, Singapore's total fertility rate has plateaued around 1.1 children per woman, significantly below the replacement rate of 2.1.
2010: Contribution of Exports to Singapore's GDP
Refined petroleum, integrated circuits, and computers contributed significantly to Singapore's GDP, comprising 27% in 2010, showcasing the nation's strength in these export sectors.
2010: Baseline Water Demand Measurement
In 2010, Singapore's water demand was recorded at 1.4 billion liters per day, with 55% attributed to non-domestic use. This serves as a baseline for projected future demand.
2010: Shifting Religious Landscape
Between 2010 and 2020, Singapore saw a slight increase in the proportion of Christians, Muslims, and non-religious individuals, while the Buddhist and Taoist populations slightly declined.
2010: Singapore's Participation in Global Forums
Since 2010, Singapore has been frequently invited to participate in G20 processes, despite not being a formal member. It also maintains active membership in several regional and international organizations, including the UN, Commonwealth, and ASEAN, and hosts the PECC Secretariat.
December 2011: HIV Diagnoses
As of December 2011, 8,800 foreigners and 5,400 Singaporeans had been diagnosed with HIV.
2011: Strength of Singaporean Banks During Global Financial Crisis
In 2011, during the global financial crisis, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked three major Singaporean banks: OCBC as the world's strongest, DBS as the 5th strongest, and UOB as the 6th strongest.
2011: PAP's Worst Election Result
The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) achieved its worst electoral result in 2011, securing only 60% of the votes, amid public concerns about immigration and cost of living.
January 2013: Quality of Life Ranking and Health Statistics
In January 2013, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Singapore sixth globally for quality of life. There were fewer than 10 annual HIV deaths per 100,000 people, adult obesity was below 10%, and immunization rates were high.
December 2013: Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore
As of December 2013, approximately 224,500 foreign domestic workers were employed in Singapore.
2013: Changi Airport's String of Skytrax Awards Begins
In 2013, Changi Airport began a consecutive run of being named World's Best Airport by Skytrax, which lasted until 2020.
2013: China Becomes Singapore's Largest Trading Partner
In 2013, China overtook Malaysia to become Singapore's largest trading partner. Singapore maintains a strong relationship with the United States, particularly in defense and economics, while also fostering regional cooperation with ASEAN and China.
2013: Early Attitudes on LGBT Rights
A 2013 survey revealed lower levels of acceptance of LGBT rights compared to 2019, highlighting a shift in public opinion over time.
2014: Singapore's Religious Diversity
A 2014 Pew Research Center analysis identified Singapore as the most religiously diverse nation globally, with no single religion holding a majority.
2014: Smartphone Penetration
In 2014, Singapore had the world's highest smartphone penetration rates.
March 2015: Death of Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister, passed away on March 23, 2015, prompting a week of national mourning.
2015: Ranking on Financial Secrecy Index
Singapore ranked fourth on the Tax Justice Network's 2015 Financial Secrecy Index.
2015: Global School Performance Rankings
In 2015, Singaporean primary and secondary students achieved the top ranking in the OECD's global school performance rankings, which assessed students across 76 countries in math, science, and reading.
2015: Singapore as a Top Travel Destination
In 2015, Singapore was recognized as a top travel destination, ranking first on Lonely Planet's list and sixth on The New York Times' list of best places to visit.
2015: Ma-Xi Meeting in Singapore
In 2015, Singapore hosted the first meeting since 1950 between the political leaders of mainland China and Taiwan. This meeting, known as the Ma-Xi meeting, signified a significant step in cross-strait relations.
2015: Accolades for Singaporean Companies
In 2015, Singapore Airlines was recognized as Asia's most-admired company and 19th most-admired globally by Fortune. It also received the Best International Airline award from Travel + Leisure for the 20th consecutive year. Changi Airport, a major international hub, had garnered over 480 World's Best Airport awards by 2015.
2015: Land Reclamation Progress
By 2015, Singapore had increased its land area by 22% through land reclamation.
2015: High-Speed Internet
As of spring 2015, internet speeds in Singapore reached up to 2 Gbit/s.
August 2016: Indonesia's Response to Tax Havens
In August 2016, Indonesia planned to establish its own tax havens to compete with Singapore and repatriate Indonesian capital.
October 2016: Penalties for Financial Misconduct
In October 2016, Singaporean authorities penalized UBS, DBS, and Falcon Private Bank for their involvement in the Malaysian Sovereign Fund scandal.
2016: PISA and TIMSS Rankings
Singaporean students achieved first place in both the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in 2016.
2016: Singapore Ranked Most Expensive City
Singapore was ranked the world's most expensive city for the third year running in 2016.
2016: First Olympic Gold Medal
Joseph Schooling won Singapore's first Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympics, setting a new Olympic record of 50.39 seconds.
2016: Tourism's Impact on Employment
In 2016, the tourism sector in Singapore accounted for approximately 8.6% of the country's total employment.
2016: Arts and Cultural Events
In 2016, the Esplanade, Singapore's largest performing arts center, hosted 5,900 free art and culture events.
2016: Internet Users
In 2016, Singapore had an estimated 4.7 million internet users.
2016: Shift to Polder Reclamation
Due to restrictions on sand exports from neighboring countries, Singapore began using polder reclamation methods in 2016.
August 2017: Unified Branding for Tourism and Business
In August 2017, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) launched "Singapore – Passion Made Possible," a unified brand to promote the country internationally for both tourism and business.
2017: Reserved Presidential Election
In 2017, a reserved presidential election was held, which resulted in Halimah Yacob becoming Singapore's first female president in an uncontested election.
2017: Water Polo Gold
Singapore's men's water polo team continued their winning streak at the 2017 SEA Games, securing their 27th gold medal.
2017: Start of Ulu Pandan Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation
The Ulu Pandan wastewater treatment plant, a joint project by PUB and Black & Veatch + AECOM Joint Venture, commenced operations in 2017, showcasing advanced used-water treatment processes.
June 2018: Trump-Kim Summit Hosted in Singapore
In June 2018, Singapore hosted the first meeting between a sitting US President (Donald Trump) and a North Korean leader (Kim Jong-un). This historic summit highlighted Singapore's diplomatic role in facilitating international relations.
2018: Ulu Pandan Wastewater Treatment Plant Award
The Ulu Pandan wastewater treatment plant in Singapore, operational since 2017, won the Water/Wastewater Project of the Year award at the 2018 Global Water Awards in Paris.
2018: ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise
In 2018, Singapore participated in the first joint maritime exercise between ASEAN and China, indicative of its strengthened regional security cooperation. It also continued its close collaboration with the US in counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation efforts.
2018: High Ranking for Singapore's Air Routes
In 2018, two of the world's busiest international air routes involved Singapore: Jakarta-Singapore and Singapore-Kuala Lumpur, highlighting Singapore's significance as an aviation hub.
2018: Social Support Programs and HDI Ranking
In 2018, Singapore maintained its position as the world's most expensive city, while also achieving a high HDI ranking of 9th globally, demonstrating its social support system and high quality of life despite the cost of living.
2018: Hawker Centres in Singapore
In 2018, Singapore had 114 hawker centers, which are maintained by the National Environment Agency and offer a unique variety of heritage street food.
2019: Shifting Attitudes on LGBT Rights
A 2019 survey by the Institute of Policy Studies showed increased acceptance of LGBT rights in Singapore, with growing support for same-sex relations, marriage, and adoption.
2019: Singapore's Semiconductor Industry
In 2019, Singapore housed over 60 semiconductor companies that collectively held 11% of the global market share, with the industry contributing around 7% to the country's GDP.
2019: Life Expectancy and Food Security
In 2019, Singaporeans had the world's longest life expectancy at 84.8 years, and the country was ranked first on the Global Food Security Index.
2019: Port of Singapore's Global Ranking
In 2019, the Port of Singapore secured its position as the world's second-busiest port based on shipping tonnage and containerised traffic, underscoring its importance in global maritime trade.
2019: Amendments to Women's Charter
The Women's Charter was amended in 2019 to increase penalties for human traffickers, with increased fines and jail terms.
2020: Racial Demographics of Singapore
According to the 2020 census, 74.3% of Singapore's residents identified as ethnically Chinese, 13.5% as Malay, 9% as Indian, and 3.2% as other ethnicities.
2020: End of Changi's Consecutive Skytrax Reign
Changi Airport's consecutive wins as World's Best Airport by Skytrax ended in 2020, when it was replaced by Hamad International Airport.
2020: Establishment of the Coastline and Flood Protection Fund
In 2020, Singapore allocated an initial $5 billion to a newly formed Coastline and Flood Protection Fund in its national budget, addressing the projected long-term impact of rising sea levels and climate change.
2020: Planned Transition to Satellite-based ERP (Delayed)
Singapore's planned 2020 shift to a satellite-based ERP system was postponed to 2026 due to global semiconductor shortages.
2020: Religious Demographics of Singapore
The 2020 census indicated that Buddhism was the most prevalent religion in Singapore (31%), followed by Christianity (18.9%), Islam (15.6%), Taoism (8.8%), and Hinduism (5%). About 20% declared no religious affiliation.
2020: 2020 Census Language Statistics
The 2020 census revealed that English was the most commonly spoken language at home in Singapore, used by 48.3% of the population, followed by Mandarin at 29.9%. Other Chinese dialects like Hokkien, Teochew, and Cantonese were spoken by nearly half a million people.
2020: Demographics of Singapore
The 2020 census revealed that about one in four Singaporean residents was foreign-born, and including non-residents, approximately 43% of the total population was born overseas.
2020: General Election
The PAP's vote share dropped to 61% in the 2020 general election, while the opposition Workers' Party secured a record 10 seats.
2021: Badminton World Champion
Loh Kean Yew became a badminton world champion in 2021, winning gold in the men's singles at the BWF World Championships.
2021: Protest for Transgender Rights
In 2021, a protest took place outside the Ministry of Education for improved protections for transgender individuals in education.
2021: Singapore's Rule of Law Ranking
In 2021, the World Justice Project ranked Singapore 17th globally for adherence to the rule of law. The country scored highly in areas such as order and security, absence of corruption, regulatory enforcement, and civil and criminal justice. However, it received lower rankings in open government, constraints on government powers, and fundamental rights.
2022: Announcement of 377A Repeal
In 2022, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the upcoming repeal of 377A, while stating that the definition of marriage would remain unchanged.
2022: Median Age and Fertility Rate
In 2022, Singapore's median age reached 42.8, up from 39.6 a decade earlier, reflecting the country's low fertility rate. Live births in 2022 also hit a record low.
2022: Singapore's Ranking in Global Innovation Index
Singapore ranked 7th in the Global Innovation Index in 2022, demonstrating its continued emphasis on innovation and technological advancement.
January 2023: Repeal of 377A
In January 2023, Section 377A of the Penal Code was repealed, decriminalizing sexual relations between men in Singapore.
2023: Singapore's Economic Standing
In 2023, Singapore was ranked the world's 4th most competitive economy and had the highest GDP (PPP) per capita, attracting substantial foreign investment.
2023: Freedom of Speech and Association in Singapore
In 2023, Singapore's ranking on the Press Freedom Index was 129th out of 180 countries. Although its constitution guarantees these rights, the government regulates freedom of speech and press, as well as certain political and civil rights. Public gatherings require permits, and protests are limited to designated areas.
2023: Press Freedom Index
In 2023, Singapore ranked 129th on the Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.
2023: Tourism in Singapore
In 2023, Singapore attracted 13.6 million international tourists, over double its population. Tourism has consistently contributed around 3% to Singapore's GDP in the decade preceding 2023 (excluding the pandemic years).
2023: Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Skytrax Awards
In 2023, Singapore Airlines was named the World's Best Airline by Skytrax for the 12th time, and Changi Airport briefly reclaimed its title as the World's Best Airport before losing it again in 2024.
2023: Singapore's Population Growth
As of mid-2023, Singapore's population was estimated at 5,917,600, with citizens making up 61.6% and the rest comprising permanent residents and non-residents. The 5% growth from the previous year was largely due to an increase in foreign workers.
2024: Singapore's Military Spending
In 2024, Singapore allocated 2.7% of its GDP to military spending, the highest in its region. The Singaporean military, known for its advanced technology, is considered vital for national security.
2024: Singapore's Global Peace Index Ranking
In the 2024 Global Peace Index, Singapore ranked as the 5th most peaceful country globally, reflecting its commitment to both internal stability and international cooperation.
2024: First Olympic Sailing Medal and Youngest Medalist.
Max Maeder made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics on National Day, winning bronze in Men's Formula Kite. This made him the youngest Olympic medalist to date as well as winning Singapore's first Olympic sailing medal at only 17 years of age.
2024: Singapore's High Ranking in Global Innovation Index
Singapore achieved a high ranking of 4th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024, solidifying its position as a leader in innovation.
2026: Expected Implementation of Satellite-based ERP
Singapore's transition to a satellite-based ERP system is now expected in 2026, replacing physical gantries.
2040: Projected Water Stress
Singapore is projected to face significant water stress by 2040, prompting the implementation of strategies to increase water self-sufficiency.
2060: Projected Water Demand Doubling
Singapore anticipates its water demand to double to 2.8 billion liters per day by 2060, with 70% attributed to non-domestic use, necessitating significant expansion in water treatment and supply capabilities such as reclaimed water and desalination.
2061: Targeted Water Self-Sufficiency
Singapore aims to achieve complete water self-sufficiency by 2061, coinciding with the expiry of its water agreement with Malaysia.