Singapore Rate of Natural Increase

Singapore’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate—has been notably low in recent years, often hovering near zero or even dipping into the negative. This reflects Singapore’s persistently low fertility rate, which is among the lowest in the world, and an aging population. In contrast, neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia maintain higher RNIs, driven by comparatively higher birth rates and younger populations. For example, Malaysia’s RNI remains positive, though it too has seen a gradual decline as fertility rates fall. Indonesia, with its larger and younger population, continues to post a higher RNI than Singapore, though the rate is also slowing. Thus, while the entire region is experiencing demographic transition and declining natural increase, Singapore stands out for its particularly low RNI, which has significant implications for its future demographic structure and workforce sustainability.

Data from US Census International Database