Population feedback: What statistics are missing?
July 28th, 2012 | Author: Contributions
Leong Sze Hian
I refer to the Issues Paper, Our Population Our Future, July 2012, published by the National Population and Talent Division of the Prime Ministers Office, which is seeking feedback from Singaporeans.
In order for Singaporeans to give more meaningful feedback, I would like to suggest that the population statistics be further broken down in the following areas:
Occupation and salaries
What are the occupations and salaries of the 6, 12 and 46% of S Pass, Employment Pass and Work Permit Holders, respectively, of the total Non-Resident Population?
Jobs that Singaporeans cant do or dont want?
This may give us a better picture of whether and to what extent jobs that Singaporeans want and can perform, may be taken by foreigners?
Singaporeans foreign dependents
With regard to the 15% Foreign Dependents of Citizens/PRs/Work Pass Holders, why not break it down to tell us what percentage are dependents of citizens?
Dependents of foreign talents?
Also, what are the occupations and salaries of PRs and Work Pass Holders with dependents?
This may give us more information as to whether most of them are truly foreign talents, who should generally be defined as higher salary, with in demand but relatively short in supply skills and experience vis-a-vis Singaporeans.
Only inflows, no outflows?
Instead of just giving the statistics that the intake of new citizens was about 92,500 in the last 5 years and 375,500 PRs (computed from the report) taken in from 2004 to 2011, why are there no statistics on how many new citizens and PRs left during these years?
Singaporeans leaving?
In this connection, I find it rather surprising that a 23-page population paper seeking feedback, is silent on the number of Singaporeans who have left Singapore or given up their citizenship.
How many subsidised foreign students?
As to the 6% of foreign students, how many are on scholarships or the tuition grant in the public universities?
This may give a better picture as to what percentage of the total public universities population (under-graduate and graduate) are foreigners subsidised by the state, in competition with Singaporeans.
Foreign worker levy not working?
Finally, what the statistics on the increase of the foreign worker levy may indicate is that despite raising them by as much as 100% from before 1 January 2010 to 1 January 2013, it may not be working to stem the tide of foreign labour, in spite of the consistent rhetoric that foreign labour will be curtailed.
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Leong Sze Hian
Leong Sze Hian is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow and an author of 4 books. He is frequently quoted in the media. He has also been invited to speak more than 100 times in 25 countries on 5 continents. He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Chairman of the Institute of Administrative Management, and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications. He blogs at http://www.leongszehian.com.