Discover Fascinating Singapore Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Singapore.
Singapore
Background
๐๏ธ A long time ago, in the 14th century, there was a bustling Malay trading port called Temasek on the island of Singapore! โ Over the years, this important settlement had a lot of changes and even got burned down in the 17th century. ๐ฎ But don't worry, it got back on its feet! In 1819, the British stepped in and founded modern Singapore as a trading colony right on that very same spot. ๐ฌ๐ง๐ Later on, in 1963, Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation but wasn't there for long. Just two years later, it became independent! ๐
Year Singapore became a trading colony
1819
Year Singapore joined Malaysian Federation
1963
Year Singapore became independent
1965
Exports - commodities
๐ Singapore is known for its vibrant economy and significant exports! In 2022, the country's exports were a mix of incredible commodities that keep its market buzzing. Here are some of the top items Singapore traded:
- Integrated Circuits
- Refined Petroleum
- Machinery
- Gold
- Gas Turbines
These commodities play a crucial role in Singapore's economy, showcasing its prowess in technology, energy, manufacturing, and precious resources! ๐ฐ๐ป
Top Export Commodities of Singapore (2022)
Exports - partners
Singapore has a diverse range of export partners! ๐ Let's take a peek at who receives the most exports from this bustling nation in 2022:
- Hong Kong: 14%
- China: 13%
- Malaysia: 9%
- United States: 8%
- Indonesia: 6%
As you can see, Hong Kong takes the lead with a fantastic 14%! ๐ But China isn't far behind at 13%. It's pretty cool to see how connected Singapore is with these countries around the world! ๐
Top Export Partner
Hong Kong with 14%
Second Top Export Partner
China with 13%
Export Percentage from Malaysia
9%
Export Percentage from the US
8%
Export Percentage from Indonesia
6%
Exports Partners of Singapore (2022)
Capital
๐๏ธ Welcome to Singapore! This vibrant city-state is not only a hub of finance and business but also home to a rich cultural scene. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about Singapore's capital! ๐
Country Name
Singapore
Imports - commodities
Let's explore the exciting world of Singapore's imports! ๐ In 2022, Singapore imported various important commodities that keep its economy humming. Hereโs a peek at the key imports:
- Integrated Circuits ๐ก: A vital component for electronics and technology.
- Refined Petroleum โข๏ธ: Fueling the nationโs energy needs and powering transportation.
- Crude Petroleum ๐ข๏ธ: The raw material for refining into usable fuels and other products.
- Gold ๐ฅ: Not just beautiful, but also a valuable asset for trade and investment.
- Machinery ๐ ๏ธ: Essential tools that help in manufacturing and production processes.
These commodities play a significant role in Singaporeโs economy and trade dynamics! ๐ธ๐ฌ
Key Imports in 2022
5 commodities: Integrated Circuits, Refined Petroleum, Crude Petroleum, Gold, Machinery
Climate
๐ด Singapore's climate is like a warm hug from nature! It's tropical with hot, humid, and rainy weather throughout the year. โ The country has two main monsoon seasons that keep things interesting:
- Northeastern Monsoon: from December to March. โ๏ธ
- Southwestern Monsoon: from June to September. ๐ฌ๏ธ
And donโt forget those beautiful inter-monsoon days, which often see frequent afternoon and evening thunderstorms! โ๏ธ
Executive branch
In Singapore, the executive branch plays a crucial role in the country's government! ๐ The chief of state is President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who has been in office since September 14, 2023. On the other hand, the head of government is Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who will take office on May 15, 2024.
This leadership showcases a transition period, marking exciting changes in the country's governance! ๐
Current Chief of State
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Date of Chief of State's Office Entry
September 14, 2023
Future Head of Government
Lawrence Wong
Date of Head of Government's Office Entry
May 15, 2024
Legislative branch
In Singapore, the Legislative branch consists of a unicameral Parliament that has 104 seats. This means all legislative decisions are made in one single assembly, making it easier to pass laws and make decisions for the country. ๐๏ธ๐ธ๐ฌ
Total Seats in Parliament
104
Natural resources
๐ Natural Resources of Singapore ๐
Singapore is famous not just for its skyscrapers and busy streets but also for its significant natural resources! Two key resources that keep this city-state thriving are fish and deepwater ports.
Fish ๐ play an essential role in the local economy and diet, providing both food and livelihood for many. Meanwhile, the deepwater ports are among the busiest in the world, facilitating trade and transportation. They connect Singapore to global markets, ensuring goods can be efficiently moved in and out.
Together, these resources make Singapore a vital hub in Southeast Asia! ๐ข
Natural Resources
Fish, Deepwater Ports
Role of Deepwater Ports
Facilitates trade and transportation
Economic overview
Singapore is a high-income, service-based economy that shines as a global financial hub! ๐๐ผ With its business-friendly policies and openness to investment and trade, it's no wonder that many want to do business here! โ๏ธ๐ฐ Though inflation is easing, it remains a challenge, especially in the services sector. ๐๐ต
The government invests a lot in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, which helps develop its strong human capital. However, there is a challenge due to an aging population. ๐ง๐ Letโs see how these factors shape the amazing economy of Singapore!
Economic Type
High-income, service-based economy
Status as Financial Hub
Global financial hub
Investment Openness
Open to investment and trade
Inflation Status
Easing but persistent in services
Government Investments
Investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure
Population Challenge
Aging population
Government type
In Singapore, the government operates as a parliamentary republic. This means that the country has a system where the government is elected by the people and is accountable to the parliament. ๐๏ธ The president is the head of state, while the prime minister leads the government. This setup allows for a representative democracy where citizens can participate in decision-making. ๐โจ
Ethnic groups
In Singapore, the population is made up of a rich tapestry of ethnic groups! ๐ Here's the breakdown of the different communities:
- Chinese: 74.2% ๐
- Malay: 13.7% ๐
- Indian: 8.9% ๐
- Other: 3.2% ๐
As you can see, the Chinese community is the largest, making up more than three-quarters of the population! The diversity of cultures in Singapore contributes to its vibrant society! ๐
Percentage of Chinese in Singapore
74.2%
Percentage of Malay in Singapore
13.7%
Percentage of Indian in Singapore
8.9%
Percentage of Other Ethnic Groups in Singapore
3.2%
Ethnic Composition of Singapore (2021)
Religions
In Singapore, the diverse tapestry of religions reflects the country's multicultural society! ๐ Hereโs a look at the religious affiliations in 2020:
- Buddhist: 31.1% ๐งโโ๏ธ
- Christian: 18.9% โ๏ธ
- Muslim: 15.6% ๐
- Taoist: 8.8% ๐ฅก
- Hindu: 5% ๐๏ธ
- Other: 0.6% ๐
- None: 20% ๐ โโ๏ธ
These percentages highlight how different beliefs coexist in harmony, contributing to Singapore's unique cultural identity.
Total Percentages
100%
Largest Religious Group
Buddhist
Religions in Singapore (2020)
Languages
In Singapore, a vibrant mix of languages brings life to the daily conversations! ๐ Hereโs a breakdown of the languages spoken:
- English: 48.3% ๐ฃ๏ธ (official language)
- Mandarin: 29.9% ๐ต๏ธ (official language)
- Other Chinese Dialects: 8.7% (includes Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka) ๐ฏ๏ธ
- Malay: 9.2% ๐ฒ๐พ (official language)
- Tamil: 2.5% ๐ฎ๐ณ (official language)
- Other Languages: 1.4% ๐ฃ๏ธ
These numbers show how diverse Singapore's linguistic landscape is! ๐
Total Percentage of Official Languages
80.0%
Most Spoken Language
English
Language with Least Speakers
Tamil
Language Distribution in Singapore
Imports - partners
๐ In 2022, Singapore had a diverse range of trade partners for its imports! Let's take a closer look at the top five countries that contribute to Singapore's imports:
- China: 17% ๐จ๐ณ
- Malaysia: 13% ๐ฒ๐พ
- United States: 10% ๐บ๐ธ
- Taiwan: 9% ๐น๐ผ
- South Korea: 5% ๐ฐ๐ท
Isn't it interesting to see how much each country contributes? ๐ง Let's visualize this data with a pie chart to understand the proportions better! ๐ฐ
Total Import Contributions
54%
Singapore's Import Partners in 2022
Population
๐ Singapore is home to a vibrant population of 6,028,459 people! That's quite a bustling community in this small island nation! With people from all over the world, Singapore is truly a melting pot of cultures and traditions. ๐๏ธ From the busy streets of Orchard Road to the peaceful gardens at Marina Bay, there's always something happening in this dynamic city-state!
Total Population
6,028,459
Area
๐ Did you know that Singapore has a total area of 719 square kilometers? That's a pretty small country! Out of this total, 709.2 square kilometers is land ๐ณ, while only 10 square kilometers is made up of water ๐. Imagine how much fun you could have on the land compared to the water! ๐ค
Total Area
719 sq km
Land Area
709.2 sq km
Water Area
10 sq km
Distribution of Area in Singapore
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's explore the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) of Singapore! Real GDP measures the economic performance of a country adjusted for price changes, providing a clearer picture of its economic health. Check out the estimated values for Singapore over the past few years:
- 2023: $754.758 billion
- 2022: $746.73 billion
- 2021: $719.13 billion
As we can see, Singapore's economy is growing! ๐๐
Real GDP in 2023
$754.758 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$746.73 billion
Real GDP in 2021
$719.13 billion
Real GDP (PPP) of Singapore (2021-2023)
Real GDP per capita
๐ฐ Let's dive into the amazing world of Singapore's economy! Singapore has an impressive Real GDP per capita, which tells us how much money each person would have if the country's total economic output was shared evenly. ๐
Here are the data points for the last three years:
- In 2021, the Real GDP per capita was $131,900.
- In 2022, it grew to $132,500! ๐ฑ
- By 2023, it reached an estimated $127,500. ๐ฅ
It's interesting to see how it fluctuated over these years! Let's visualize this data to understand it better.
GDP per Capita in 2021
131,900
GDP per Capita in 2022
132,500
GDP per Capita in 2023
127,500
Real GDP per Capita in Singapore (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ฆ Singapore is a bustling hub for trade! In 2023, the imports reached a whopping $686.656 billion! ๐ That's a little lower than the previous year where imports were $733.876 billion in 2022. But wait, itโs quite an increase from $637.165 billion in 2021! ๐ Let's dive into the numbers to see how they changed over the years!
Total Imports in 2023
$686.656 billion
Total Imports in 2022
$733.876 billion
Total Imports in 2021
$637.165 billion
Singapore's Imports Over the Years
Exports
๐ Singapore is a powerhouse when it comes to exports! In 2023, the country exported a whopping $873.989 billion worth of goods. That's a slight dip from $925.952 billion in 2022, but still a significant increase from $794.47 billion in 2021. ๐ Here's how the export figures look over the last few years:
Exports in 2023
$873.989 billion
Exports in 2022
$925.952 billion
Exports in 2021
$794.47 billion
Singapore's Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
Singapore's population is growing at an interesting rate! ๐ In 2024, the estimated population growth rate is 0.87%. This means more people are making Singapore their home every year! ๐ธ๐ฌ Letโs see how this growth stands in comparison to other countries. ๐
Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024
0.87%