Population

The population of Singapore is approx 5.2 million of whom 3.25 million are Singapore citizens. Although the national language is English, 49.9% speak Chinese, 32.3 speak English, 12.2 speak Malay and 3.3% speak Tamil. I am assuming these Wikipedia figures are approx correct !

I was surprised on the way to work at the lack of Westerners however later I learnt it of course depends where you go in Singapore. On the MRT (train service) the majority is Asian, Malay and Indian. I can of course not distinguish between the different nationalities but according to my work colleagues there are some unique tell tale signs that help. I am going on what I have learnt from the locals but various Singaporeans' have told me that there has been a huge increase in the population, evident through busy trains, buses and the noticeable construction everywhere on the Island. A large amount of the population has come from increased demand for cheap labor and of course from the higher salary end Westerners looking to ride the economic boom. Singapore has been described by other Westerners I have met as the beginners guide to Asia as it is so cosmopolitan and still influenced by old English rule so not as extreme as places such as China.