Demography

Singapore’s population is a veritable mix of nationalities, ethnic groups, languages and religious affiliations. Its unique trajectory of size and composition is mapped out by various phases of migration. There also has been a demographic transition from high birth and death rates in the post-World War II years to the very low birth and death rates today. This book traces the trends and developments in Singapore’s population from the pre-Independence period, when there was relatively little control over migration and fertility; through the period of population control from Independence to the 1980s; to the more expansionary years from the mid-1980s until recently.