Singapore’s Increasing Ageing Population Raises Concerns

The ageing population in Singapore, those aged 65 years old and above, increased by 18.4% in 2022 due to low fertility rates and longer life expectancies, according to the Population in Brief report published by the National Population and Talent Division on Sept. 26.

The proportion of senior citizens is increasing rapidly as more "baby boomers" (those born between 1946 and 1964) reach the age of 65 and beyond. It is projected that one in four citizens, or 23.8%, will reach the age of 65 by 2030.

According to the Department of Statistics, citizens aged 80 and above also rose by more than 70% after a decade, which accounts for 3.7% of the city-state’s total population.

As of June 2022, Singapore’s total population has reached 5.64 million, which is 3.4% higher compared to June 2021, but comparatively lower than the pre-pandemic population of 5.70 million. The median age of Singapore’s population also grew from 42.5 years to 42.8 years during June 2021 and June 2022, respectively.

Other Asian nations including Japan and the Republic of Korea also faced similar ageing trends in 2020, with the Korean population reaching 16% and the Japanese community reaching 29%. The ageing population potentially affects the economy, the labor force, and cultural shifts.

Due to significant changes in demographics, the city-state prioritises marriage and parenthood through the Made For Families initiative to guarantee that Singapore's families will receive assistance from the government.