近期新加坡政府公布了一組最新數據──截至 2025 年 6 月，全國總人口達到 611 萬人，創下歷史新高，較 2024 年成長約 1.2%。其中，成長最多的仍然是「非居民（Non-Residents）」族群，年增率約 2.7%。這樣的結構，其實再次印證了一件事：新加坡依然是一個高度依賴外來人口的移民型社會。
在人口創新高、移民政策持續收緊的趨勢下，2026年的新加坡，是否還是個值得落腳與長期發展的國家？
Table of contents
- 全國611 萬人口，外籍人士仍是關鍵組成
- 長期人口目標仍在，但政策邏輯正在轉變
- PR 不再是「拿到就好」，而是需要被持續經營
- 2026年新加坡發展的 3 大建議
- 城市的影響，比你想像的還要大
- 那麼，2026 年的新加坡，還值得來嗎？
- A Population of 6.11 Million — with Foreign Talent at Its Core
- Population Growth Continues — but the Logic Is Shifting
- PR Is No Longer a Status You Simply Hold — It Must Be Maintained
- Three Considerations for 2026
- The Quiet Influence of a City
- So, Is Singapore Still Worth It in 2026?
全國611 萬人口，外籍人士仍是關鍵組成
從工作准證結構來看，就業准證（Employment Pass, EP）持有人約占總人口 11%，S 准證（S Pass）持有人約 9%，與 2024 年的 11% 與 10% 相比變動不大，整體保持在相對穩定的水準。
若進一步觀察人口組成，2025 年的新加坡人口約由 366 萬公民（60%）、54 萬永久居民（9%），以及 191 萬非居民（31%）構成。換句話說，每十位在新加坡生活的人口中，便有約三位是外籍人士。
至於許多人關心的 PR 核發情況，2024 年核發數量較 2023 年小幅上升 2.2%，仍大致維持每年約 3.3 萬人的水準。
長期人口目標仍在，但政策邏輯正在轉變
根據新加坡政府過去公布的人口政策方向，官方希望在 2030 年前將總人口維持在 650 萬至 690 萬之間，以回應長期低生育率與人口高齡化帶來的結構性挑戰。若以目前 611 萬人口計算，距離目標下限仍有約 6% 的增長空間。
然而，與其說新加坡正在「積極擴張人口」，不如說政策方向已從過去的「數量導向」，逐步轉向「結構與品質導向」。也就是說，在可預見的未來，人口成長仍然高度仰賴永久居民與非居民的補充，但進入門檻與留下來的條件，正變得更加明確且嚴格。
2025 年起，就業准證（EP）與 S 准證的最低薪資門檻雙雙上調：EP 一般門檻提高至 5,600 新元以上（金融業更高，且隨年齡增加），S 准證則調升至 3,300 新元。
雖然移民政策變得嚴格，但新加坡對外籍人才的吸引力仍然不容小覷。在門檻提高的情況下，外籍工作人口仍較疫情前增加約三成，顯示新加坡在國際上，依舊具備相當強的就業吸引力。
PR 不再是「拿到就好」，而是需要被持續經營
移民政策向來是新加坡政府最需要謹慎拿捏的議題之一：如何在吸引外來人才、維持經濟競爭力的同時，也保障本地居民的就業機會與生活品質，是一道持續存在的政策平衡議題。
在人口突破歷史新高的背景下，新加坡政府於 2025 年底正式收緊永久居民的續簽制度。長期居住海外、缺乏在新加坡工作紀錄與納稅紀錄的永久居民，其再入境許可（Re-Entry Permit, REP）續簽通過率，將明顯降低。
新制之下，若永久居民身處境外且 REP (Re-Entry Permit) 已失效，必須在 180 天的緩衝期內申請新的 REP；一旦逾期未申請，或申請遭拒，便會直接喪失永久居民身分，且不再如過去設有法定的「復原」上訴機制，僅有「重新申請」永久居民資格一途可走。
這也代表著，永久居民身分的維持不再是被動狀態，而是需要清楚的時間管理與實際居留連續性。政策背後的用意十分明確：避免外籍人士在取得永久居民資格後，卻未實際參與新加坡的經濟與社會運作。
2026年新加坡發展的 3 大建議
以我自己這幾年的經驗來看，如果你正在考慮國際職涯，新加坡仍然是一個值得納入選項的城市。2025 年，新加坡在全球金融中心指數（GFCI）中排名第四，長期穩居全球前五；以 IMF 購買力平價（PPP）計算，人均 GDP 亦明顯高於多數已開發國家，顯示其整體經濟動能仍具韌性。
就業市場方面，雖然新加坡近兩年也是時不時耳聞有裁員的風聲，但相較其他國家，2025 年整體失業率 2.1% 仍然處在偏低的範圍，可被視為健康的經濟環境（同期美國為 4.1%），且預測未來幾年還是會保持在健康的水準。
不過，在實際規劃上，以下三點或許也需謹慎考量：
第一，先統整自身能力，再對照市場需求。
在競爭高度國際化的就業市場中，關鍵已不只是「想不想來」，而是「是否具備清楚的市場定位」。建議定期關注 LinkedIn、Jobstreet、Indeed 等平台的職缺趨勢，反向檢視自身仍需補強的技能。
第二，取得工作簽證後，思維需從「留下來」轉為「貢獻度」。
無論是穩定就業、納稅紀錄，或是社區與社會參與，這些都會逐步形塑一個「願意在新加坡長期扎根」的軌跡。永久居民申請與否，實質上是一場長期信號的累積。
第三，取得永久居民後，更需要主動管理身分狀態。
REP 的有效期限與行程安排不再是小事，尤其是長期出差或海外工作的永久居民，更應提前設定提醒，避免因行政疏忽而失去身分資格。
城市的影響，比你想像的還要大
我很喜歡美國知名作家及創業家 Paul Graham 在《Cities and Ambition》中的一個觀點：
一個人所在的城市，會在不知不覺中影響他的選擇與發展。
很多人以為，只要夠努力，就可以不受環境影響。但回頭看歷史，多數重要的創新與成就，往往都集中在特定的城市。例如，大部分十五世紀知名的義大利畫家，幾乎都來自佛羅倫斯這個城市，其中也包含達文西。
不是因為那裡的人比較特別，而是因為那個環境以及周圍的同儕，讓某些事情更容易發生。
那麼，2026 年的新加坡，還值得來嗎？
放眼 2026 年，全球仍籠罩在地緣政治與經濟不確定性之中。相較之下，新加坡整體仍被視為制度穩定、治安良好、政策可預期的城市之一。對於職涯發展、資產配置與國際視野而言，它仍然提供了相對清晰的機會與路徑。
就像Paul Graham也在文中提到的，年輕時，最好能有在不同城市生活的經驗，親身了解城市傳遞的訊息，並且感受它散發出來的價值觀，是否能引起共鳴——或許需要先找到一個感覺自在的城市，才能真正了解自己究竟擁有怎樣的抱負。
新加坡不是一座完美的城市，但世界上本來就沒有完美的城市，只有在某個人生階段，是否與你契合的城市。對有明確方向、願意持續累積專業與貢獻的人來說，即使門檻一年比一年高，新加坡仍然可能是一個值得投入的地方。
城市不會替你決定人生，但它會放大你的選擇。
而你選擇在哪裡生活，往往也會潛移默化，讓你成為什麼樣的人。
➤ 關聯閱讀
Recently, the Singapore government released its latest figures: as of June 2025, the total population reached 6.11 million — a record high, representing a year-on-year increase of around 1.2%. The fastest-growing segment remains “non-residents”, which expanded by approximately 2.7%. This once again reinforces a fundamental point: Singapore remains a highly immigration-dependent society.
Against the backdrop of a record-high population and increasingly stringent immigration policies, the question naturally arises — is Singapore in 2026 still a place worth building a life and career?
A Population of 6.11 Million — with Foreign Talent at Its Core
From a work pass perspective, Employment Pass (EP) holders account for roughly 11% of the total population, while S Pass holders make up around 9%. These figures remain broadly stable compared to 2024.
Looking at the population breakdown more closely, Singapore in 2025 consists of approximately: 3.66 million citizens (60%), 540,000 permanent residents (9%) and 1.91 million non-residents (31%). In other words, roughly one in three people living in Singapore is a foreigner.
As for Permanent Residency (PR), a key point of interest for many, approvals in 2024 rose modestly by 2.2% compared to 2023, maintaining a steady annual level of around 33,000.
Population Growth Continues — but the Logic Is Shifting
The Singapore government has long indicated that it aims to maintain a population of between 6.5 and 6.9 million by 2030, in response to structural challenges such as low birth rates and an ageing population. Based on the current figure of 6.11 million, there remains some room for growth.
However, the direction of policy has clearly evolved. Rather than actively expanding population numbers, Singapore is increasingly focused on defining who it wants. The emphasis has shifted from quantity to structure and quality. While future growth will still rely on foreign talent, the criteria for both entry and long-term stay are becoming more explicit — and more demanding.
Since 2025, the minimum salary for EP holders has been raised to at least S$5,600 (higher for financial services, and increasing with age). The S Pass threshold has been increased to S$3,300.
Yet despite these tighter requirements, the foreign workforce has grown by around 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels — a sign that Singapore continues to hold strong appeal on the global stage.
PR Is No Longer a Status You Simply Hold — It Must Be Maintained
Immigration policy has always been a delicate balancing act for Singapore: attracting global talent while safeguarding opportunities and quality of life for its citizens.
With the population at an all-time high, the government tightened PR renewal rules at the end of 2025. Permanent residents who spend extended periods overseas, without employment or tax contributions in Singapore, will now face significantly lower chances of renewing their Re-Entry Permits (REP).
The updated framework is also more stringent:
• Expired REPs must be renewed within 180 days
• Failure or rejection results in immediate loss of PR status
• The previous formal “appeal for reinstatement” pathway has been removed
In effect, PR is no longer a passive status — it requires active management, consistent presence, and genuine participation in Singapore’s economy and society.
Three Considerations for 2026
From my own experience over the past few years, Singapore remains a city worth considering for those pursuing an international career. In 2025, Singapore ranked fourth in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), consistently placing within the global top five. On a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, GDP per capita remains significantly higher than in most developed economies — reflecting resilient economic fundamentals.
The labour market, while not immune to layoffs, remains relatively healthy. Unemployment stood at 2.1% in 2025 — notably lower than in many other economies (4.1% in the United States) — and is expected to remain stable.
That said, there are three points worth reflecting on:
1. Understand your positioning before deciding to relocate
In a highly competitive, globalised market, the question is no longer whether you want to move — but whether the market needs you. Regularly reviewing job trends on platforms such as LinkedIn or Indeed can help identify skill gaps.
2. Securing a work pass is only the beginning
Staying in Singapore is a long-term signal built over time. Stable employment, tax contributions, and meaningful engagement with society all matter.
3. If you hold PR, manage it proactively
REP validity and residency patterns are no longer administrative details. For those frequently working across borders, careful planning is essential.
The Quiet Influence of a City
I have always been drawn to an idea from Paul Graham in Cities and Ambition:
The city you live in quietly shapes your choices and trajectory.
It is tempting to believe that determination alone can override environment. Yet history suggests otherwise — major innovation and achievement tend to cluster in specific places.
Not because the people are inherently different, but because certain environments — and the peers within them — make particular paths more likely.
So, Is Singapore Still Worth It in 2026?
Looking ahead to 2026, the world remains marked by geopolitical and economic uncertainty. In contrast, Singapore continues to stand out as a city defined by stability, safety, and policy predictability. For career development, capital allocation, and international exposure, it still offers a relatively clear and structured pathway.
As Paul Graham also suggests, living in different cities when young can be invaluable — not just for opportunities, but for understanding what kind of environment resonates with you, and what ambitions you truly hold.
Singapore is not a perfect city — but no city is. What matters is whether it aligns with you at a particular stage of life. For those with a clear direction, and a willingness to build, contribute, and stay, Singapore remains a place worth committing to — even as the barriers continue to rise.
A city does not decide your life. But it does amplify your choices.
And where you choose to live will, over time, shape who you become.
➤ Related Reads
- My Singapore PR Journey: Myths, Tips, and Lessons Learned
- Two Years in Singapore: Do I Regret It?
- How Yoga and Mindfulness Guided My Journey to Singapore?