MigrantoImmigrants in Singapore
2.7M foreign-born residents — the #25 largest immigrant population in the world
Where immigrants come from
The top 3 countries account for 91% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Malaysia | 1553249 |
| China | 533745 |
| India | 377038 |
| Indonesia | 180437 |
| USA | 26705 |
| Australia | 17222 |
| Taiwan | 11137 |
| Hong Kong | 3584 |
| New Zealand | 3378 |
| Canada | 3197 |
By region of origin
Asia is the leading region of origin at 98%
2.7M
29.9K
20.6K
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Interesting facts
Notable statistics about immigration in Singapore.
Immigration is a key driver of population growth
67% of the population growth of Singapore since 1990 came from new immigrants, reflecting immigration's central demographic role.
Singapore is a primary destination for emigrants from Malaysia
Singapore attracts 64% of all emigrants from Malaysia, making it the leading destination for those leaving the country.
Malaysia is the leading source of immigration by a wide margin
Malaysia accounts for 57% of all immigrants, far ahead of the second-largest source at just 20%.
A significant share of residents were born abroad
1 in 2 residents of Singapore is foreign-born — 2.7M out of 6M, representing 44.9% of the population.
Immigration has become more concentrated over time
The top source's share rose from 49% to 57%, with Malaysia increasingly the primary origin.
How immigration changed over time
Total immigrant population by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 712788 |
| 1995 | 968636 |
| 2000 | 1285531 |
| 2005 | 1414923 |
| 2010 | 2025010 |
| 2015 | 2399793 |
| 2020 | 2457314 |
| 2024 | 2709692 |
Top sources over time
Immigration from the 5 largest source countries
| Year | Malaysia | China | India | Indonesia | USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 349149 | 261603 | 48762 | 38441 | 3272 |
| 1995 | 515743 | 306636 | 73539 | 53142 | 4989 |
| 2000 | 733158 | 347062 | 108733 | 71417 | 7372 |
| 2005 | 785955 | 358888 | 149282 | 91676 | 10173 |
| 2010 | 1085108 | 480475 | 263621 | 151605 | 17952 |
| 2015 | 1318217 | 532271 | 321966 | 172869 | 22252 |
| 2020 | 1384577 | 509007 | 336901 | 169056 | 23638 |
| 2024 | 1553249 | 533745 | 377038 | 180437 | 26705 |
Fastest-changing origins
How immigration from each country has changed since the selected year
Singapore as a destination, by diaspora
Share of each country's emigrants who settled in Singapore
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants live in Singapore?
Around 2.7M foreign-born residents live in Singapore, making it the #25-largest immigrant population in the world.
Where do most immigrants in Singapore come from?
Most immigrants in Singapore come from Malaysia, China and India — these three countries account for about 91% of all foreign-born residents.
What share of the population of Singapore are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 45% of the population of Singapore — that's 2.7M out of a total population of 6M.
How has immigration to Singapore changed over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the immigrant population in Singapore has grown from 2.4M to 2.7M people, a growth of about 13%.
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Living in Singapore
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