Debated in Parliament on 15 Nov 2012.
Mr Pritam Singh asked the Prime Minister in light of our current population of 5.31 million and his view that Singapore can accommodate six million people in the future (a) how many of the 690,000 additional arrivals are envisaged to comprise new citizens, permanent residents and non-residents respectively; (b) whether the Government has made any social assessment of the impact of these additional arrivals; and (c) what is the projected impact of these new arrivals on prices of public and private houses.
Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Prime Minister (a) whether the existing infrastructures, such as those for public transport, healthcare and housing, discounting those that are under construction, are adequately designed to support the current population of 5.31 million; (b) what is the target population density in five, 10 and 15 years' time; and (c) whether the Government has conducted a survey on the quality of life vis-a-vis the increase in population density.
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With your permission, Sir, may I take this question and the next one together?
Yes, please.
The Government recognises that population growth in recent years has outpaced our planned infrastructure capacity. We have ramped up infrastructure development in the areas of transport, housing and healthcare and these are coming on-stream progressively. Going forward, we will strive to better match infrastructure provision with population needs.
Issues, such as our societal make-up and cohesion, our living environment and economic viability, are fundamental in determining the sustainable population we want for Singapore into the future.
Over the course of this year, the Government has been engaging the public widely on these issues and is preparing to release a White Paper on Population in January 2013 which will address them. We have invited Singaporeans, including all Members of Parliament, to provide their views. We have met with numerous stakeholders, such as the business federations, labour unions, students and various civic and community groups. In the process, we have received well over 2,000 pieces of feedback from individuals, groups and organisations. I wish to thank everyone who has sent in their views and proposals, many of which were substantial and which required much time, energy and effort to put together. We are taking these inputs into consideration as we formulate and review our population policies for the White Paper which will address these issues, as well as other important issues, in a holistic way.
Sir, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for his reply. The upcoming White Paper notwithstanding, can I enquire if any studies have been done by the National Population and Talent Division on an increase in the population size for Singapore, going forward? Has such a study been conducted and, if so, can this study be released for public information as well?
Sir, as Mr Singh would doubtless be aware, a number of different papers have been released by the National Population and Talent Division over the past year. I am sure he has read all of them thoroughly. These are all in the public domain and are part of the current discussion that we are having. I would rather address the population issue holistically through the White Paper, rather than in a piecemeal manner like right now.
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