Though one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia, Singapore has the most advanced and sophisticated economy in the region. It is consistently ranked as one of the world's best places to do business and drains companies and professionals from the whole world eager to work and do business in Singapore.
- Official country name: Republic of Singapore
- Capital: Singapore
- Total Area: 719.1 km²
- Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
- Currency: Singapore dollar - SGD
- Drives on the: left
- Calling Code: +65
- Internet TLD: .sg
Demographics
- Population: 5,610,000 (2015 Estimate)
- Population Density: 7,797/km²
- Official Languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
- HDI: 0.912 (very high)
- Ethnic Groups:
- Chinese 74.1%
- Malays 13.4%
- Indians 9.2%
- Others 3.3%
The Singaporean business environment
Singapore has one of least corrupt business environment in Asia thanks to the definition of clear business rules and their consistent enforcement. Singapore attracts global companies and entrepreneurs eager to start a company there to cater to the high-income Singaporean population or serve as a regional and global business platform.
The secure, peaceful and dynamic living environment carefully designed by the Singaporean authorities ensures professionals and their families enjoy their life in the country while pro-business policies ensure Singapore's economic attractiveness. Companies and professionals in Singapore notably benefit from its simple and globally competitive tax system.
Key economic data of Singapore
- GDP (PPP): USD 486.910 Billion (2016 Estimate)
- GDP per Capita (PPP): USD 87,082
- GDP (Nominal): USD 296.642 Billion (2016 Estimate)
- GDP per Capita (Nominal): USD 53,053
- GDP Growth: 2.0% (2016)
- GDP by sector: (2011 Estimate)
- agriculture: 0%
- industry: 25%
- services: 75%
- Labor force: 3.6275 Million (June 2015)
- Labor force by occupation: (2014)
- agriculture 1.3%
- industry 14.8%
- services 83.9%
- Unemployment: 2% (2015 Estimate)
- Inflation: 1% (2014 Estimate)
- Ease of doing business rank: 2nd (2017)
Key sectors of Singapore
Singapore is one of the world's leading financial center, especially serving as a financial hub for Southeast Asia and the larger Asia-Pacific region. Its pivotal location between the Pacific and Indian oceans, at the tip of the Malaysian peninsula, makes it one the largest knot in trade and sea transportation, with one the world's busiest ports.
Banking and finance, international trade, real estate and telecommunications are some of the most important sectors in Singapore, in which operate many of the country's largest companies, which are also often among the giants of Southeast Asia.
Main industries of Singapore
- financial services
- electronics
- chemicals
- oil drilling equipment
- petroleum refining
- rubber processing and rubber products
- processed food and beverages
- ship repair
- offshore platform construction
- life sciences
- entrepot trade
- tourism
- manufacturing
A regional center for innovation
The country's success stems from its constant push for innovation in all levels: government, company and individual. Thanks to this innovating spirit, Singapore is at the forefront of technology in Asia, especially a leader in electronics, oil refining, biotechnology, energy and the largest hub in Southeast Asia for startups.
Singapore notably has the most active population on Internet in Southeast Asia, serving as a base for many foreign startups in Southeast Asia and an advanced country for all aspects of digital business. It is home to a vibrant community of bloggers, with some of Singapore's top blogs recognized globally.
Singapore for professionals and work
As the country's authorities are constantly struggling to make Singapore a perfect place for business, they always keep in mind the quality of life of individuals and families. Both local and foreign professionals therefore enjoy the benefits of its modern environment: a high-standard of living, the best universities in Southeast Asia, a sound healthcare system and a profusion of day and night attractions for all.
Often considered a luxury shopping paradise, Singapore is now growing the local regional art scene as it aims at becoming a touristic center in Southeast Asia. These characteristics make living in Singapore a modern and expensive lifestyle, which added with the high value-added economy of Singapore naturally push salaries in Singapore among the world's highest.
Being a convenient place to do business and a high income country, Singapore is naturally a global hotspot for expats. This presence of a large population of foreigners enhance Singapore's position as a global trade hub.
Singapore trade
With very high numbers for its size, resources and population, Singapore is a regional heavyweight both for imports and exports.
Recent Resources
With well-developed infrastructures and a high income, digitally-savvy population, Singapore is a very mature market for e-commerce. Several global and regional websites are fighting tooth and nail for market share, with some local players using their weight in Singapore as a foothold to expand abroad.
Having successfully diversified its economy, Singapore has become a regional and global hub for technology and startups. It is now home to one of the most developed startup eco-system in Asia, with an ever-growing number of companies using the country as a base to manage their operations in the region and beyond.
Using great pictures is imperative for any marketing activity to display a professional and appealing message to potential customers. These 40 free, high-definition stock pictures of Singapore will be a great help for you to design websites and brochures, especially for businesses in tourism and travel, real estate, food, luxury…
Quality maps of Singapore can be useful to illustrate ideas or projects for your website or blog, or to create your own maps. Here is a collection of copyright or royalty free, labelled, blank and subway maps of Singapore to be used directly as is, or to be elaborated upon to create beautiful modern maps …
Though it experienced high economic growth rates a few years ago, Singapore, the most advanced economy of Southeast Asia shows uneven year-on-year expansion. This series of infographics presents key demographic and economic data on Singapore, together with comparisons with other ASEAN and world-leading countries.
Singapore is home to a vibrant blogging community and an internet powerhouse of Southeast Asia. The following Top 50 blogs from Singapore was therefore created to list the pillars of the Singaporean online community and, for many of them, thought-leaders of the regional and global blogosphere.
Singapore is a center of modernity and luxury tourism in Asia, it also is home to a site listed as a World Heritage Site of the UNESCO. Originating from the city-state’s former British rule and its needs for botanic acclimating, as well as leisure, the Singapore Botanic Garden has been classified by UNESCO in 2015.
Singapore is one of the most modern and developed countries in Asia, with a vibrant economy of high value-added services and industries. For companies looking for new personnel or professionals on the move, knowing the local salaries compensating for certain skills and experience is a must to make the right HR decisions.
Singapore’s Straits Times index – the main stock index of Singapore – is composed of the 30 largest public listed companies which greatly influence the economy of Red Dot, Southeast Asia, and the world. The following list presents these economic heavyweights and their activities, together with useful links.
In Southeast Asia, Singapore stands out as a place of modernity and delightful lifestyle experiences. To develop tourism, the Singaporean government communicates through its “Your Singapore” campaign, notably publishing videos that promote the country through a personal, creative and original approach.