In Singapore (Photo: eastasiaforum) Hanoi (VNA) – Singapore’spopulation has shrunk for the first time since 2003 as travel curbs and joblosses brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed foreign workers fromthe global business hub.
According to an annual population report, theoverall population of this country dropped by about 18,000 people, or 0.3percent, to 5.69 million.
A sharp drop in the number of foreigners, down 2percent to 1.64 million, as well as a marginal fall in permanent residents,outweighed a modest rise in citizens, some of whom returned from overseas asthe pandemic spread globally.
The report attributed these trends largely toCOVID-19 related challenges, caused by weak demand and travel restrictions,citing job losses in services – a sector heavily reliant on foreign labourers.
As the economy faces the deepest recession inits history – an economic decline officially estimated between 5-7 percent forthe year, the government has been raising barriers for foreign hiring topreserve jobs for locals.
Singapore's non-resident population has morethan doubled over the last 20 years, powering population growth in a city-statewith one of the world's lowest birth rates./.
According to an annual population report, theoverall population of this country dropped by about 18,000 people, or 0.3percent, to 5.69 million.
A sharp drop in the number of foreigners, down 2percent to 1.64 million, as well as a marginal fall in permanent residents,outweighed a modest rise in citizens, some of whom returned from overseas asthe pandemic spread globally.
The report attributed these trends largely toCOVID-19 related challenges, caused by weak demand and travel restrictions,citing job losses in services – a sector heavily reliant on foreign labourers.
As the economy faces the deepest recession inits history – an economic decline officially estimated between 5-7 percent forthe year, the government has been raising barriers for foreign hiring topreserve jobs for locals.
Singapore's non-resident population has morethan doubled over the last 20 years, powering population growth in a city-statewith one of the world's lowest birth rates./.
VNA
