Case Study → Singapore Migration Policies (Edexcel A-Level Geography): Revision Notes

Case Study → Singapore Migration Policies

Context	● Economically developed city-state ● 5.7 mil population ○ Ethnically diverse • result of British colonial past as well as being a trading hub in Asia ● Encouraging immigration due to low fertility rate and ageing population - population growth = 1% per yr
Migration policy	● Open policy towards economic migrants ● Also has a two-tier system • foreign workers (low-skilled, 📝 eg. Construction) and foreign talents (high skilled, eg. Doctors) ○ Known to be v strict about who they consider for permanent resident status
Treatment of migrants	● Foreign workers treatment has been questioned in past • many live in crowded dormitories, are poorly paid and have few rights ● Must leave Singapore within 7 days of contract ending ● Immigrants unable to marry Singaporeans without special approval
Benefits	● Helped Singapore's population grow ○ Over 60% of population are foreign-born ● Approx 1.6 mil people are temp migrants ○ ⅔ of this population is low-skilled ↳ These workers have been recruited due to high demand in construction, domestic labour and manufacturing industries

•                                                             Singapore Immigration Policy*