Reasons for Recent Sharp Decline in Singapore Permanent Resident Population and Impact on Job Formation
Prime Minister's OfficeSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the 6.2% decline in Singapore’s Permanent Resident (PR) population and its potential impact on job formation. Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if the decrease was due to PRs staying abroad and whether they intended to return or relinquish their status. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah explained that the decrease resulted from PRs staying overseas for over 12 months due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Minister Indranee Rajah noted that while Re-Entry Permit renewals are based on employment and family ties, data on return or relinquishment rates remains currently insufficient. She concluded that the shift is unlikely to affect employment trends as citizens comprise 85% of the resident workforce and resident employment numbers have been improving since late 2020.
Transcript
39 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Prime Minister (a) whether the sharp decline of 6.2% in the Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) population is mainly due to extended stays by PRs in their citizenship countries abroad; (b) if so, whether there is any indication that the majority will return or relinquish their PR status; and (c) what impact this decline will have on job formation.
Ms Indranee Rajah (for the Prime Minister): From June 2020 to June 2021, the Permanent Resident (PR) population in Singapore decreased by 6.2% to 0.49 million. As explained in the Population in Brief report published on 28 September, the main reason for the decrease is because more PRs remained overseas continuously for 12 months or more due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
We do not have sufficient data to ascertain whether these PRs are in their citizenship countries or elsewhere. It is also too early to conclude if these PRs will return or relinquish their PR status. In general, PRs who are overseas require a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP) to return to Singapore as PRs. The REP is renewable based on considerations, such as whether the PR is gainfully employed and contributing to Singapore or has family roots here.
Our PR population has remained stable at around half a million for over a decade and short-term shifts in the PR population are unlikely to affect resident employment trends, as citizens consistently make up about 85% of our resident workforce. Resident employment numbers and unemployment rates have been improving since the third quarter of 2020. The Member can refer to the latest data on MOM's website. We will continue to closely monitor the changes in our PR population as COVID-19 travel restrictions are steadily lifted.