Are you ready for 7 million people on tiny Singapore?

[limlim]

sleepy:

So what's on our plate?

http://i46.tinypic.com/2hea7uh.jpg\">

[Harlequin]

Very funny.... at the Wikipedia link below, \"List of cities proper by population density\", Manila is at the top place! And, the biggest surprise is, Singapore is not even in the list of 49 cities! (Alamak! So no face huh, we are not \"dense\" enough? )


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_proper_by_population_density

Manila, on the other hand, has 43,079 resident per square kilometer!!

SG so blessed, with vast habitable land! Places like Hongkong, Hongkong Island itself vastly inhabitable with rocky hilly mountains, only left a narrow strip of shore line or harbour side area.

[limlim]

goldfish2013:

On second thought, if the fish tank is overpopulated, why it can still attract other fish to it? Unless, they are arowana.

If they are small fish, it pleases the big fish already in the pool.

If they are big fish, what will happen to the small fishes already in the pool?

[limlim]

3Boys:

concern2:

Found this on Corrinne May fb:

(source: http://www.facebook.com/corrinnemaymusic)

If the Singapore government is looking at increasing the population of Singapore and increasing the dismal birthrate, they should take a good look at the abortion laws in Singapore.


Now the situation is drastically different and Singapore desperately needs more babies. We should look at ways to help more women keep their unborn babies and not abort them. Since Singaporeans often pick up new habits through educational campaigns (think of the 'courtesy campaign' for eg., and the 'please flush the loo' campaign) There needs to be some educational directive that helps women understand how precious every life is. And I'm not kidding when I say that we should start an 'Every Baby is Precious' campaign.

I agree 100% that more should be done to 1) Prevent unwanted pregnancies, 2) Encourage/Help women who are pregnant but cannot for whatever reason keep their babies, carry to term and not abort.

+100% agree..

Can go for adoption mah.... every baby is precious to Singapore..

[limlim]

Irrelevant:

goldfish2013:

I believe in the law of nature, if there is more room for population to grow, the nation birth rate will increase, may be due to lower housing cost (because more space), less congestion & competition, and less stress, just like in the 80's.

What do you think Taiwan (TFR=0.9), which a less dense population than Singapore (TFR=1.2), have a lower TFR?

They are older so not as fertile? :evil:

SG will grow older too..

[Lavina]

http://i46.tinypic.com/162ycg.jpg\">


So ideally in 2030, we will have 2.4mm non-residents, majority of whom doing low-paying jobs which Singaporeans shun. Assuming 60% of 3.7mm citizens are age between 21-65, we have 2.2mm Singaporeans doing high-paying jobs.
Total of 4.6mm people working to support 6.7mm population. Nice!

But these non-residents are not oompa-loompas who are satisfied with just cacao beans. They are humans. What if they decided to \"occupy Singapore\"? Given that there are 2.4mm of them versus 2.2mm of us, are we able to \"fight\" them? What about the crime rates? Why are we planning our future on such shaky grounds? So sian....

[sinoboy]

3Boys:

sinoboy:

Whether it could be 7m or 8m, migration is certainly an option for some. While some can freely change their minds to migrate if circumstances change in their home country, not all will have the ability or resources to consider a migration. Usually the dream target country would have high bars to prevent undesired immigrants to flood their shores. Even if those requirements are met, competing and securing a job locally and buying a property to live in would be somewhat daunting and challenging. But most importantly not all countries reciprocate our warm treatment to FT by embracing us. How then to migrate even if I want to? :scratchhead:

The ability to migrate applies to both sides of the argument.

What if in the future, due to low population growth and ageing, Singapore loses it's lustre and becomes a sleepy backwater? Who then, will be worse off?

The well heeled and connected, with overseas investments? Or the laobaixing who have to make do with whatever the local economic conditions are? You want a situation where the young and mobile have to relocate in order to find high value jobs, escape high taxes, and leave the old folks and the less well qualified behind?

Those contemplating migration would probably not care about who are left to fend for themselves in a tougher environment. But this does not mean that the people would not return when the situation and outlook becomes better. Look at Hong Kong in the early 90s when there was a migration wave ahead of the uncertainties brought about by the 1997 handover but returned to Hong Kong when it was proven to be an inroad to China; or Chinese migration to other countries but returning to China for opportunities when the business environment improves. I believe the intention to migrate is driven by selfish reasons and I am probably not so altruistic to spare a thought for others who are left behind. But I may come back one day as a sea turtle pie if I perceive the situation here to be better compared to my country then.

[Mawar]

Other cities may have higher population density than ours but they have outlaying countryside. The inhabitants have the option of seeking peace and solace within their own borders. We don’t have that option. These days our space is getting smaller especially if we shun crowded places. Even libraries are getting too crowded.

[MyMooMoo]

Since the govt can easily increase the population by their own ways. Why are they urging us to have more babies?

[sleepy]

Mawar:

Other cities may have higher population density than ours but they have outlaying countryside. The inhabitants have the option of seeking peace and solace within their own borders. We don't have that option.

Precisely!

Where else can we go :scratchhead: Even outskirts such as Jurong West or Woodlands are crowded nowadays.

I suppose we need to move to pulau ubin to enjoy some fresh air :siam: