NDR 2026: Singapore's multiracial character will endure even as country stays open to newcomers, says PM Wong

Singapore will continue to broadly maintain its current ethnic balance, a policy which has served the country well, says Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

SINGAPORE: Even as Singapore stays open, its multiracial and multireligious character will remain, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 23).

Singaporeans must feel that the Singapore they know and cherish will endure, he added.

“Every community will continue to have its place in Singapore – its language, culture and traditions,” he said.

This is why Singapore will continue to broadly maintain its current ethnic balance, a policy Mr Wong said has served the country well, giving every community confidence that their place, representation and voice remain secure.

At the same time, Singapore will keep working at integration, which works both ways, he added.

“Newcomers must make every effort to fit in, and Singaporeans must also reach out with open hearts.”

WELCOMING NEW CITIZENS

In his speech, Mr Wong announced a slew of measures to support families, but said Singapore must stay realistic. Its total fertility rate is still likely to fall far short of replacement, he stressed, noting that almost every society faces this challenge today.

“If we relied only on births, our citizen population will shrink. We would age more rapidly. And there would be fewer younger Singaporeans to support a growing number of seniors,” he added.

Over time, this would have other consequences on Singapore’s economy and society, said Mr Wong.

“And that's why for many years, we have supplemented our population by welcoming new citizens. This is not new. Singapore has always been shaped by immigration.”

Nearly all Singaporeans have parents, grandparents or great-grandparents who came from elsewhere, said Mr Wong. Newcomers today continue that story, whether as family members or those who come to work.

One in every three marriages is now between a Singaporean and a non-citizen, he noted.

Others come to work, bringing skills and expertise the country needs, and decide to stay over time.

“That’s why being Singaporean has never been about ancestry or where your family first came from,” he said.

“It has always been about commitment. A commitment to put Singapore first, a commitment to our values and way of life, and a belief that, whatever our backgrounds, our future is ours to build together.”

FOREIGN WORKFORCE

Singapore is no longer the fragile nation it was in 1965, Mr Wong said, but it remains a small country navigating a more turbulent world.

When people come to Singapore, embrace its ideals and make the pledge their own, they do not weaken the country's identity but strengthen it, bringing fresh perspectives and energy, he said.

The government's aim is to refresh the citizen population at a measured and sustainable pace while managing the size of the foreign workforce, he said. Singapore welcomes foreign manpower to complement the local workforce, but does so in a "careful and controlled" way.

“We will always ensure that Singaporeans remain the majority in our own country,” said the prime minister, adding that Singapore's overall population and labour force will grow more slowly in the coming years as a result.

Businesses often ask the government to ease foreign worker policies, especially in the service sector, arguing that these are jobs Singaporeans do not want to do, Mr Wong said.

“But work permit holders are already the largest group of foreign pass holders in Singapore. So even a modest easing of our policies could lead to a significant increase in numbers. And that's not the path we want to take.”

Singapore must adapt to these realities, with more growth to come from technology, productivity and enabling every Singaporean to reach their full potential, said Mr Wong.

The country's population will continue to evolve as newcomers join society and new generations grow up together, he added.

“But what makes us Singaporean will endure. Our shared identity and values, our commitment to one another, and our pledge, which binds us together as one united people.”