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S'pore population climbs 1.6% to 6.21 million, citizens at 3.68 million
The rise in Work Permit holders was driven by the construction sector to support key projects such as Changi Terminal 5 and the ramp-up of housing supply.
September 26, 2026, 02:13 PM
Singapore's total population rose 1.6 per cent to 6.21 million as at June 2026, up from 6.11 million in June 2025, according to the Population in Brief 2026 report by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD).
Growth driven mainly by non-residents
The report stated that the increase in total population was mainly due to growth in the non-resident population, which rose 3.7 per cent to 1.98 million in June 2026, from 1.91 million in June 2025.
Total population by residency status, as at June 2026. Image via NPTD
This came primarily from Work Permit holders, followed by migrant domestic workers.
The NPTD said the rise in Work Permit holders was particularly driven by the construction sector, to support key infrastructure projects such as Changi Terminal 5, the Marina Bay Sands expansion, and the ramp-up of housing supply and other transport infrastructure.
The citizen population increased by 0.7 per cent to 3.68 million in June 2026, up from 3.66 million in June 2025.
The permanent resident (PR) population remained relatively stable at 0.55 million.
Total population, as at June 2026. Image via NPTD
Singapore now a "super-aged society"
The report also highlighted Singapore's ageing population.
As at June 2026, 21.4 per cent of the citizen population was aged 65 and above, up from 13.7 per cent in 2016.
This means Singapore has crossed the United Nations' threshold of 21 per cent for a "super-aged society."
Age profile of citizen population, as at June 2026. Image via NPTD
The number of citizens aged 80 and above rose 60 per cent over the past decade, from 95,000 in 2016 to 152,000 in 2026.
The median age of the citizen population also rose, from 43.7 years in June 2025 to 44.1 years in June 2026.
The NPTD projected that by 2035, more than one in four citizens will be aged 65 and above.
Fewer marriages and births in 2025
There were 21,671 citizen marriages in 2025, 5.6 per cent lower than the 22,955 citizen marriages recorded in 2024.
The average number of citizen marriages per year from 2023 to 2025 (23,000) was lower than the average from 2016 to 2019 (23,500).
There were also 26,071 citizen births in 2025, 10.8 per cent lower than the 29,237 citizen births in 2024.
The average number of citizen births per year from 2021 to 2025 (29,300) was lower than the average from 2016 to 2020 (32,500).
The resident total fertility rate fell to 0.87 in 2025, down from 0.97 in 2024.
Top image via Yoav Aziz/Unsplash
