Page "Demographics of Singapore" Paragraph 1

By end of June 2011, the island's population stood at 5. 18 million with 3. 26 million citizens, 0. 53 million PRs and 1. 4 million non-resident foreigners and is the second most densely populated independent country in the world ( behind Monaco ).

Singapore is a multicultural country with a majority population of Chinese ( 74 percent ), with substantial Malay ( 13 percent ) and Indian minorities ( 9. 2 percent ).

The Malays are recognised as the indigenous community although most are the descendants of post-1945 immigrants from Indonesia and Malaysia .. Singaporeans now however have a strong sense of identity.

Mahayana Buddhism is the first religion in Singapore though not representing a majority, with significant numbers following Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism or no religion at all.

The annual population growth rate for the year 2000 was 2. 8 %.

The country has four official languages consisting of Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English.

English is the main working language and is the mandatory first language in all schools here ..

According to latest 2010 statistics, Singapore ’ s resident total fertility rate ( TFR ) reached a level of 1. 1 in 2010.

The Chinese TFR was ( 1. 08 ), followed by Indians ( 1. 14 ) and Malays ( 1. 82 ).

Malay fertility-rate is ~ 70 % higher than Chinese and Indians.

Singapore has attempted to boost the fertility rate for years to the replacement level of 2. 1 birth per woman.