5 Facts and Figures That Highlight Why Singapore Is the Best Place to Live in Asia

Singapore has one of the most progressive economies in the world, so it’s no surprise that many people are attracted to the prospect of living, working, and even setting up a business here. 

But what does this mean for the people who are living or planning to live in this small city-state in Southeast Asia? If you’re looking for hard evidence that points to Singapore as one of the best places to live in the region, here are 5 facts and figures that will convince you. 

Nearly 2 Million People Living in Singapore Are Either Non-Residents or Permanent Residents  

A historically diverse country, Singapore had a population of over 5.45 million people in 2021. Of this, 3.5 million were Singapore citizens, 1.47 million were non-residents, and 0.49 million were permanent residents. 

The country is quite friendly even to non-locals, and there are different ways for non-residents to gain Singapore permanent resident status. People who are willing to invest in the country, in particular, can gain access to permanent residency through the Global Investor Programme (GIP Scheme), which will require them to put SGD 2.5 million in a Singapore-based business or GIP-approved fund. Alternatively, entrepreneurs can relocate and start a business in the country with ease through the Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) scheme. Over time, these entrepreneurs will also be eligible to apply for permanent resident status. 

About 30% of the Government’s Annual Budget Goes to Education, Health Service, and Public Housing

People who live in Singapore have easier access to higher standards of living. The country has one of the best education systems in the world, and here, education is seen as a social enabler. The country dedicates about 30% of its annual budget to social safety nets such as education, health service, and public housing. 

Investing in these programs enables Singapore to build on individual and social capital, mitigate the challenges presented by difficult family situations, and empower its people to become productive members of society. The country’s labour force is highly educated, digitally literate, and geared towards productivity. It’s a great place to stay for families who want to raise globally competitive children and business owners who want employees who are familiar with future technologies. 

Out of a List of 180 Nations, Singapore Is the Fourth Least Corrupt Country in the World 

A country’s government is responsible for shaping its people’s present and future prospects. The good news is that Singapore’s government is highly transparent and fairly clean, making it easy for individuals and organisations alike to take part in and benefit from local programs. 

In the 2021 Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Singapore placed 4th on the list of least corrupt countries, scoring a high 85 out of 100 points for incorruptibility and having a clean public sector. This means that people who are based in Singapore know that their taxes are benefiting the general public, and that companies can expect to experience ease of doing business when transacting with the government. 

An Average of 5 Million People Use Singapore’s Transportation Services Every Day

About 5 million of Singapore’s 5.45 million population use the country’s transportation system on a daily basis. According to the Land Transportation Authority, more than 2.8 million people took buses, 2 million people used the MRT, and 139,000 used the LRT every single day in 2020. Meanwhile, the Department of Statistics found that of the people travelling to work, 25.7% used the MRT, LRT, and public bus system, while 21.1% used a car. 

This only goes to show how efficient Singapore’s public transportation system is and how easy it is to travel from one location to another within the city. At the same time, the country is also home to Singapore Changi Airport, a world-class transportation hub that has won numerous accolades and several citations as the world’s best airport. This, and the country’s central location in Southeast Asia, make it a perfect springboard for expanding one’s business to the rest of the region.

Singapore Is Generally Regarded as One of the Safest Cities in the World

Singapore has bagged the top spot in the Economist Intelligence Unit 2019 Safe Cities Index as well as the 2019 Gallup Global Law and Order report. In 2020, a total of 37,273 crimes were recorded in the country. This means that for every 100,000 people living here, only about 656 have experienced crime. In addition to this, the crimes that were recorded in the country were generally non-confrontational and non-violent in nature, and many of them were considered crimes of opportunity like theft and pickpocketing. It’s worth noting that Singapore has strict laws to control firearms and possessing these weapons can lead to severe punishment. There’s very little need to worry about your safety while you’re living or doing business here. 

Singapore is a great place to live, work, and do business in. If you’re planning to move to a country or city in Asia that offers plenty of professional and commercial opportunities, consider the Lion City and what it has to offer you, your family, and your future business prospects.