Singapore Population Hits Record 6.21M on Foreign Growth

Singapore's total population reached a record 6.21 million as of June 2026, up 1.6% from 6.11 million a year earlier, the National Population and Talent Division said in its Population in Brief 2026 report released Sept. 25, 2026. The increase of 97,300 people was led by non-residents, who added 70,300 and reached 1.98 million. Citizens rose by 24,200 to 3.68 million and permanent residents by 2,800 to about 0.55 million, lifting the resident population 0.6% to 4.23 million. NPTD linked the non-resident rise to work permit holders and migrant domestic workers supporting Changi Airport Terminal 5, the Marina Bay Sands expansion, transport infrastructure and a housing supply ramp-up. Foreign workers excluding migrant domestic workers make up about two-thirds of non-residents; the rest are mainly domestic workers, dependants and students. In 2025 Singapore granted 25,094 citizenships and 35,352 permanent residencies; annual averages for 2021-25 were 22,400 and 34,600, above 2016-20 levels. The report states Singapore is now a super-aged society, with more than 21% of the population aged 65 and older. Residents aged 65 and older made up 19.5% in 2026, up from 18.8% in 2025 and 12.4% in 2016.