Singapore: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Singapore — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
5,638,676
#115 of 197 countries
Area
719 km²
#194 of 248 countries
Density
7842.4 / km²
#3 of 245 countries

Singapore has a population of 5,638,676 spread across 719 km², giving it an average density of 7842.4 people per km². This is a densely populated country where urban areas dominate the landscape.

Demographics

Median Age
39.8
Life Expectancy
86.7 yrs
Literacy Rate
97.7%
Government
parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Singapore is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 59% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$85,412
Cost of Living
59% of US
Inflation
4.8%
Inequality
45.8
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$132,600
Unemployment
3.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 3.0% of Singapore's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism % of Exports
3.0%
Outbound Tourists
1,543,000
Air Passengers
47,502,834
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Singapore has 2.83 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
2.83/1k
Hospital Beds
2.81/1k
Health Spend
$3922/person
Infant Mortality
1.7/1k
Immunization
97%
Safe Drinking Water
100.0%
Basic Sanitation
100.0%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Singapore, 94% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 173 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
94.3%
Mobile Subs
173/100
Broadband
27.4/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data