An analysis of the influx of foreigners in Singapore
An Introduction to the issue
Singapore has been accepting immigrants from other countries since the 1970s. However, over the last decade, the number of immigrants coming to Singapore increased from 248,000 in 1990 to 670,000 in 2006. Lately, in 2010, it has been reported that out of 5 million people in Singapore, only about 3.2 million are Singaporeans, meaning about 1.8 million people are foreigners, and about 1.3 million are not residents in Singapore. This sharp increase in the number of immigrants has brought about much flak amongst Singaporeans, especially netizens, who claim these immigrants bring about new challenges and setbacks, It was a hot button issue, frequently mentioned during the 2011 General Elections. There a host of reasons as to explain the influx of foreigners in Singapore, which will be discussed in the following paragraph.
Causes
To make up for Singapore’s falling population and birth rate
With the influx of foreigners, some may choose to permanently live in Singapore and become a Singapore citizen. Since the country is facing a falling population and birth rate (Total Fertility Rate of 1.2 of last year), we have to resort to importing foreigners into Singapore to maintain the population in the country.
Improving bilateral ties
Accepting a large number of foreigners into the country can be seen as a gesture to improve bilateral ties. Accepting of foreign workers, gives the workers a livelihood, Take China or India for instance, Singapore brings in many Chinese and Indian nationals who seek to earn a living and bring money back home, improving not only Singapore’s economy, but China’s and India’s economy as well. China and India are currently huge economies and by improving our ties with them, we are opening up opportunities for possible future trade agreements which in turn also benefits Singapore’s economic status.
The need for a larger talent pool
Talent is critical in helping Singapore become an outstanding city. Singapore’s falling population has caused a shrink in our talent pool, and despite the considerate number of talented Singaporeans, it is not enough if we want our country to continue to prosper. Accepting talented foreigners, or foreign talent, into our country will help our country to advance in many aspects, including architecture, sports and the economy. A larger number of foreign talent will help to ease our current local talents’ burden of maintaining the country’s progress in various sectors.
Incentives of hiring foreign workers
Foreign workers tend to accept a lower wage than Singaporeans and are thus cheap labour for companies to turn to. They also help increase productivity, leading to increased revenue. This is the main reason as to why foreign workers are hired.
Effects
Overpopulation- leading to issues arising in mental and physical health
Due to the influx of foreigners Singapore faces overpopulation. This can be seen clearly as the government needs to build more HDB flats, which will lead to rising housing costs, yet the spaces of the flats are decreasing in size. In addition, with more foreigners migrating into Singapore, they at any chance may bring in an undiagnosed superbug into the country. With the large population that we have, the bug may spread like wildfire among the people and another outbreak of pandemic, like SARS that happened in 2003. Singapore is the second most densely populated country in the world with 6,802 people per square kilometre.
Loss of national identity/ Singaporeans habouring feeling of unhappiness and dissatisfaction over the influx
Singaporeans, upset by the increasingly competitive and stressful situation brought about by foreigners, will harbour feelings of unhappiness and dissatisfaction and lose faith in the government.The large numbers of foreigners as well as the changes brought about will cause Singaporeans to lose the sense of belonging they used to experience. This could result in the loss of national identity amongst Singaporeans which could prove detrimental to societal security.
A strain on resources
If the number of foreign workers increase rapidly, these may cause a strain in Singapore’s resources. Singapore needs to provide basic necessities to these foreign workers such as housing, healthcare, transport, food and water. However, since Singapore has a limited amount of land, and no natural resources, it will not be sustainable for Singapore to keep providing for these workers, causing a great decrease in resources which can also result in a lower standard of living not only for foreigners but also for Singaporeans.
An overly competitive society
As more and more immigrants come to Singapore, the competition for jobs, housings and other requirements become higher. This leads to unnecessary stress and over competitiveness which can disrupt societal harmony. Singaporeans will not longer be able to live their lives to the fullest and this can aggravate the already sour ties between foreigners and Singaporeans. Mental illnesses will also become increasingly common in a place where your societal standing and income are given more than adequate importance.
Over-dependency on foreign talent
With the increase in the number of foreign talent in Singapore, Singaporeans feel outdone by these immigrants and start to lose their drive. The society will start to rely more heavily on the foreigners to improve current standards in Singapore and as such, locals lose the motivation to strive for excellence in Singapore. This leads Singaporeans to feel complacent and not struggle to excel so as to benefit their country. This is a major misunderstanding on the part of the Singaporeans that the foreigners were allowed into the country to take over the duty of maintaining the prosperity of the country, when in truth, they are here to assist the local talents in making the city outstanding.
Conclusion
Though there are numerous benefits brought about by bringing in foreign workers, it is clear that when brought here in excess, foreigners too can prove detrimental to national identity, a strain on resources, decreasing the standard of living and even bringing about health problems. This is an issue of much concern that has to be tended to as soon as possible or its consequences could be detrimental to this small island state we call home. Fret not, it's not too late to start. There is still hope for a a harmonious and inclusive society, a happier nation. The Democratic Reform Party has solutions for you.
Disclaimer: This website is part of a school project and is meant for educational purposes only. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of any individuals, groups, political parties and/or organizations outside of Crescent Girls’ School. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Singapore has been accepting immigrants from other countries since the 1970s. However, over the last decade, the number of immigrants coming to Singapore increased from 248,000 in 1990 to 670,000 in 2006. Lately, in 2010, it has been reported that out of 5 million people in Singapore, only about 3.2 million are Singaporeans, meaning about 1.8 million people are foreigners, and about 1.3 million are not residents in Singapore. This sharp increase in the number of immigrants has brought about much flak amongst Singaporeans, especially netizens, who claim these immigrants bring about new challenges and setbacks, It was a hot button issue, frequently mentioned during the 2011 General Elections. There a host of reasons as to explain the influx of foreigners in Singapore, which will be discussed in the following paragraph.
Causes
To make up for Singapore’s falling population and birth rate
With the influx of foreigners, some may choose to permanently live in Singapore and become a Singapore citizen. Since the country is facing a falling population and birth rate (Total Fertility Rate of 1.2 of last year), we have to resort to importing foreigners into Singapore to maintain the population in the country.
Improving bilateral ties
Accepting a large number of foreigners into the country can be seen as a gesture to improve bilateral ties. Accepting of foreign workers, gives the workers a livelihood, Take China or India for instance, Singapore brings in many Chinese and Indian nationals who seek to earn a living and bring money back home, improving not only Singapore’s economy, but China’s and India’s economy as well. China and India are currently huge economies and by improving our ties with them, we are opening up opportunities for possible future trade agreements which in turn also benefits Singapore’s economic status.
The need for a larger talent pool
Talent is critical in helping Singapore become an outstanding city. Singapore’s falling population has caused a shrink in our talent pool, and despite the considerate number of talented Singaporeans, it is not enough if we want our country to continue to prosper. Accepting talented foreigners, or foreign talent, into our country will help our country to advance in many aspects, including architecture, sports and the economy. A larger number of foreign talent will help to ease our current local talents’ burden of maintaining the country’s progress in various sectors.
Incentives of hiring foreign workers
Foreign workers tend to accept a lower wage than Singaporeans and are thus cheap labour for companies to turn to. They also help increase productivity, leading to increased revenue. This is the main reason as to why foreign workers are hired.
Effects
Overpopulation- leading to issues arising in mental and physical health
Due to the influx of foreigners Singapore faces overpopulation. This can be seen clearly as the government needs to build more HDB flats, which will lead to rising housing costs, yet the spaces of the flats are decreasing in size. In addition, with more foreigners migrating into Singapore, they at any chance may bring in an undiagnosed superbug into the country. With the large population that we have, the bug may spread like wildfire among the people and another outbreak of pandemic, like SARS that happened in 2003. Singapore is the second most densely populated country in the world with 6,802 people per square kilometre.
Loss of national identity/ Singaporeans habouring feeling of unhappiness and dissatisfaction over the influx
Singaporeans, upset by the increasingly competitive and stressful situation brought about by foreigners, will harbour feelings of unhappiness and dissatisfaction and lose faith in the government.The large numbers of foreigners as well as the changes brought about will cause Singaporeans to lose the sense of belonging they used to experience. This could result in the loss of national identity amongst Singaporeans which could prove detrimental to societal security.
A strain on resources
If the number of foreign workers increase rapidly, these may cause a strain in Singapore’s resources. Singapore needs to provide basic necessities to these foreign workers such as housing, healthcare, transport, food and water. However, since Singapore has a limited amount of land, and no natural resources, it will not be sustainable for Singapore to keep providing for these workers, causing a great decrease in resources which can also result in a lower standard of living not only for foreigners but also for Singaporeans.
An overly competitive society
As more and more immigrants come to Singapore, the competition for jobs, housings and other requirements become higher. This leads to unnecessary stress and over competitiveness which can disrupt societal harmony. Singaporeans will not longer be able to live their lives to the fullest and this can aggravate the already sour ties between foreigners and Singaporeans. Mental illnesses will also become increasingly common in a place where your societal standing and income are given more than adequate importance.
Over-dependency on foreign talent
With the increase in the number of foreign talent in Singapore, Singaporeans feel outdone by these immigrants and start to lose their drive. The society will start to rely more heavily on the foreigners to improve current standards in Singapore and as such, locals lose the motivation to strive for excellence in Singapore. This leads Singaporeans to feel complacent and not struggle to excel so as to benefit their country. This is a major misunderstanding on the part of the Singaporeans that the foreigners were allowed into the country to take over the duty of maintaining the prosperity of the country, when in truth, they are here to assist the local talents in making the city outstanding.
Conclusion
Though there are numerous benefits brought about by bringing in foreign workers, it is clear that when brought here in excess, foreigners too can prove detrimental to national identity, a strain on resources, decreasing the standard of living and even bringing about health problems. This is an issue of much concern that has to be tended to as soon as possible or its consequences could be detrimental to this small island state we call home. Fret not, it's not too late to start. There is still hope for a a harmonious and inclusive society, a happier nation. The Democratic Reform Party has solutions for you.
Disclaimer: This website is part of a school project and is meant for educational purposes only. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of any individuals, groups, political parties and/or organizations outside of Crescent Girls’ School. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.