SINGAPORE, Sept 26 — Singapore’s population grew 1.6 per cent to 6.21 million in the year to June 2026, driven largely by more foreign workers, even as the country crossed the threshold to become a super-aged society.

The increase was fuelled particularly by construction workers supporting major projects including Changi Airport Terminal 5, the Marina Bay Sands expansion and new housing and transport infrastructure, The Straits Times reported today.

The non-resident population grew 3.7 per cent to 1.98 million, with work permit holders and migrant domestic workers accounting for much of the increase, while the citizen population rose 0.7 per cent to 3.68 million and the permanent resident population remained at about 550,000.

At the same time, 21.4 per cent of Singapore’s citizens were aged 65 and above in 2026, up from 20.7 per cent a year earlier and 13.7 per cent a decade ago, according to the annual Population in Brief report released by the National Population and Talent Division.

That puts Singapore above the United Nations’ 21 per cent threshold for a “super-aged” society, with the number of citizens aged 80 and above also rising to 152,000 from 145,000 in 2025.

The Straits Times quoted labour economist Walter Theseira as saying demand for foreign workers is concentrated in sectors such as construction and domestic work, while an ageing population is also driving demand for care and domestic services.

Immigration is also becoming increasingly important in slowing the decline of Singapore’s citizen population amid ageing and low fertility, the newspaper reported, citing the Institute of Policy Studies research fellow Mathews Mathew.

Singapore granted 25,094 new citizenships and 35,352 permanent residencies in 2025, while the Government expects to grant between 25,000 and 30,000 new citizenships annually over the next five years.

The demographic shift is also reflected in Singapore’s age structure, with those aged 20 to 64 making up 59.3 per cent of citizens in 2026, down from 64.3 per cent in 2016.

That has left Singapore with 3.2 citizens aged 20 to 64 for every citizen aged 65 and above, down from 5.4 a decade ago.

The 65-and-above figure is a demographic measure and does not mean Singapore’s statutory retirement age is 65; it is currently 64, with the statutory re-employment age at 69.

Singapore’s statutory retirement age is set to rise to 65, and the re-employment age to 70, by 2030.