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You're not imagining things: Why Singapore feels unrecognisable compared to three decades earlier
DiscussionIn 1996, Singapore was a predominantly local society of 3.67 million people. Singaporeans were a massive 82% majority, meaning almost everyone shared a permanent, lifelong stake in the nation. The streets were quieter and the social fabric was uniform, as the non-resident workforce was just beginning to expand. Back then, the country functioned as a tight-knit nation-state where the vast majority of people held voting rights and a multi-generational claim to the land.
In 2026, the population has surged to 6.15 million, yet the citizen share has shrunk to just 59%. While the total population grew by 68%, the non-resident group exploded by over 530%, reaching nearly 2 million. This demographic shift has transformed the island into a high-pressure global hub where citizens of the country are increasingly outnumbered by transient residents. The physical density is compounded by an ageing crisis, with 21% of citizens now over 65, leaving a smaller core of local stakeholders to navigate an unrecognisably crowded city.
Crucially, the 59% citizen figure is deceptive because it ignores the distinction between natural-born and naturalised citizens. The data masks the influx of adults who may not share the local culture or have served National Service (for males). This internal shift means the proportion of "traditional" stakeholders with deep roots is even lower than official stats suggest. Today, the native-born Singaporean finds themselves in a city where nearly 1 in 3 people is a temporary guest, fundamentally altering the sense of home that existed thirty years ago.
Tl;DR: Since 1996, Singapore's population has hit close to 6.2 million while the citizen stake diluted from 82% to 59%. This 59% includes many new citizens who didn't grow up locally or serve NS, meaning traditional stakeholders now share a much denser country with 2 million non-residents. How much lower will this figure go in another three decades?
Official Data Sources: Singstat (For Censuses held decennially, latest in 2020) and National Population and Talent Division (For Population In Briefs held annually, latest in 2025 and visual by ST).
