TR Emeritus

September 27th, 2013

I refer to the articles “Population growth slowest in 9 years” and “Fast-ageing S’pore, fewer to support aged” (Straits Times, Sep 27).

Population slowdown due to slower pace of growth in the foreign workforce?

It states that “The main reason for the population slowdown is the slower pace of growth in the foreign workforce.

He also promised to maintain a Singaporean core.”

New citizens granted increased by 31%?

Citizens increased by 20,000 to 3.31 million and PRs remained the same at 530,000. However, in the accompanying chart in the latter article, citing the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority as the source – new Singapore Citizenship granted in 2012 increased by about 31 per cent from 15,777 in 2011 to 20,693. This is the highest increase in the last 6 years, which is the number of years shown in the chart.

Permanent Residence granted also increased by about 9 per cent, from 27,521 to 29,891.

But total citizens increased by only 20,000?

Since the increase in new citizenships granted alone was 20,693, why is it that the increase in total citizens was only about 20,000?

With 38,641 resident live-births against just 18,481 total deaths – the lower increase in total citizens compared to the increase in new citizenships granted may be due to various reasons such as

… new citizens not staying in Singapore

… new citizens giving up their citizenship

… citizens leaving Singapore

… citizens who have left not returning to Singapore.

Can such statistics be given in the 118 page Population Trends 2013 report?

40,853 “people missing”?

Since the number of PRs remained the same at 530,000, we may appear to have about 40,853 “people missing” (20,693 new citizens granted plus 38,641 live-births minus 18,481 total deaths).

In this connection, how many PRs are not residing in Singapore or have given up their permanent residence?

Curtailing foreigners’ growth?

So, have we curtailed the growth of new citizens and new PRs? The answer is no and the increase was even at a greater pace – although the article had a quote making reference to the Population White paper which said “at this pace, the growth is more sustainable”.

Bulk of the growth came from the construction sector?

As to “The bulk of the growth came from the construction sector, where foreigners are hired for key infrastructure projects such as housing and transport, the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) said in a statement.

S-pass increased 15%

But in the non-construction sectors, growth slowed to about half that of a year ago, with 25,000 hired for the year ending in June this year, against 48,000 for the previous year” – if you look at the MOM’s statistics – arguably if I may borrow and use the same words – “the bulk of the growth came”  – that matters more to Singaporeans because of competition for such jobs that Singaporeans want, from foreigners – from the 15 per cent increase of 26,000 in the S-pass against just a 2,600 drop in the employment pass.

Slower pace of work permits’ growth due to slowing economy?

Even the slower pace in the increase of work permits’ (excluding construction and domestic workers) growth of 25,300 in the June-to-June statistics as of June this year – may have to be compared in the context as to whether the slower pace may be due to some extent to a slowing economy?

For the purpose of comparison, the increase in work permits (June-to-June) was 47,500, 56,700, 28,800 and -7,600 in 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Increase in passes more than decrease in work permits?

So, arguably here’s the “magic number” – the 23,400 (26,000 S-pass minus 2,600 employment pass) increase in the total employment and S-pass, may actually more than offset the 22,200 (47,500 minus 25,300) decrease in work permits last year.

Curtailing foreign workers’ growth? 

In this regard – “The drop is a result of changes in official rules in recent years, which make it harder for companies to hire foreigners” – ???

“Does not compute”

“Does not compute” 

Leong Sze Hian