KEY FACTS
Joined Commonwealth: 1965
Population: 5,303,000 (2012)
GDP p.c. growth: 3.5% p.a. 1990–2012
UN HDI 2012: world ranking 18
Official languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin),
Malay, Tamil
Time: GMT plus 8hr
Currency: Singapore dollar (S$)
Geography
Area: 699 sq km
Coastline: 193 km
Capital: Singapore
The name ‘Singapore’ derives from the Sanskrit Singa Pura (‘City of the Lion’). Situated in South-East Asia and lying just north of the equator, the Republic of Singapore is separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the narrow Johor Straits (1 km wide), crossed by a causeway. A number of smaller islands are included within its boundaries and a few kilometres to the south are islands belonging to Indonesia.
Main towns:
Singapore City, Jurong, Bukit Panjang, Serangoon, Katong and Changi.
Society
KEY FACTS 2012
Population per sq km: 7,587
Life expectancy: 82 years
Population:
5,303,000 (2012); 100 per cent of people live in urban areas; growth 2.6 per cent p.a. 1990–2012; birth rate ten per 1,000 people (23 in 1970); life expectancy 82 years (69 in 1970). The population is predominantly Chinese (77 per cent in 2000 census), with Malays constituting 14 per cent and Indians eight per cent, and small minorities of Europeans and Eurasians.
Language:
English, Chinese (Mandarin), Malay and Tamil are the four official languages. Several other Chinese dialects are spoken, the most prevalent being Hokkien, Cantonese and Teochew. Singaporeans are mostly bilingual, in a mother tongue and English (the administrative language).
Education:
Public spending on education was three per cent of GDP in 2012. By the 1990s, primary education was virtually universal. There are six years of compulsory education starting at the age of six. Primary school comprises six years and secondary four, with two cycles each of two years. Secondary education is streamed at three levels, according to measured ability, leading to junior college or vocational institutions. Some 99 per cent of pupils complete primary school (2008). The school year starts in January. The principal universities are the National University of Singapore (founded in 1905); Nanyang Technological University (1981, as Nanyang Technological Institute); Singapore Management University (2000); Singapore Institute of Technology (2009); and Singapore University of Technology and Design (inaugurated in May 2012). National University of Singapore has 36,000 students from 100 countries; Nanyang Technological University, 33,500; and Singapore Management University, some 7,200. SIM University, a private university founded in 2005, offers academic programmes aimed for working professionals. There are several other private universities, most of which are in partnership with business schools or technology institutes in Europe or the USA. Other tertiary institutions include the National Institute of Education (founded 1950, as Teachers’ Training College, becoming part of Nanyang Technological University in 1991); Singapore Polytechnic (1954); Ngee Ann Polytechnic (1963); Temasek Polytechnic (1990); Nanyang Polytechnic (1992); Institute of Technical Education (1992); and Republic Polytechnic (2002). Co-operation between industry and technological education is well developed, and retraining and education for older adults is an important goal. There is virtually no illiteracy among people aged 15–24.
