International Security Bulletin

Singapore

Republic of Singapore

Capital: Singapore

History

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Geography

Metric Units

Total Area 697 sq km
Land Boundaries 0 km
Border Countries No data
Coastline 193 km
Terrain lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Minimum Elevation 0 m
Maximum Elevation 166 m
Climate tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Natural Resources fish, deepwater ports
Arable Land 0.89%
Permanent Crops 0.14%

Economy

Gross Domestic Product $325.1 billion
GDP (per capita) $60,900
GDP Growth 1.3%
Unemployment Rate 2%
Population in Poverty No data%
GINI Index 47.8

Budget & Debt

Expenditures $39.97 billion
Revenue $42.47 billion
Current Account Balance $51.44 billion
External Debt $24.64 billion

Trade

Exports $408.4 billion
Export Items machinery and equipment (including electronics and telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined petroleum products
Export Partners Malaysia 12.2%, Hong Kong 11%, Indonesia 10.4%, China 10.4%, US 5.5%, Japan 4.5% (2011)
Imports $379.7 billion
Import Items machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Import Partners US 10.8%, Malaysia 10.7%, China 10.4%, Japan 7.2%, South Korea 5.9%, Indonesia 5.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.8% (2011)

People

Population 5,460,302
Population Growth 1.96%
Ethnic Groups Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)
Religion Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)
Life Expectancy 84.07 years
Infant Mortality 0.96 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality 0.9 deaths/100,000 live births

Energy

Electricity Production 45.37 billion kWh
Electricity Consumption 41.2 billion kWh
From Fossil Fuels 99.8%
From Nuclear 0%
From Hydroelectric 0%
From Renewable Sources 0.2%