2. Economical
National GDP: $276.5 billion
“Developed” Economic Stage
Population size: 5.312 million
Geographical size: 697 sq km
Population Density: 116 people per km²
GDP Purchasing Power Parity: $331.9 billion
Singapore’s economic freedom score is 88, making its economy the 2nd freest
in the 2013 Index. Its score is 0.5 point higher than last year, with an
advancement in financial freedom outweighing small deteriorations in five
other economic freedoms. Singapore is ranked 2nd out of 41 countries in the
Asia–Pacific region.
3. Geopolitical
Type: Parliamentary republic
Competitive tax rates and a transparent regulatory environment encourage
vibrant commercial activity, and the private sector is a continuing source of
economic resilience and competitiveness. However, state ownership and
involvement in key sectors remain substantial. A government statutory entity,
the Central Provident Fund, administers public housing, health care, and
various other programs, and public debt is equal to a year’s production for the
entire economy.
Singapore Parliament House
4. Societal
Population: 5,460,302
Religion: Buddhism
Family: 4th best life expectancy at birth in the world
Healthcare: 1.82 physician/1,000 people
Education: 98% literacy rate for males, 95.9% for females
Language and Dialects: Mandarin Chinese and English
Rural vs. Urban: Very urbanized
Historical Transition: Singapore was founded as a British trading
colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963
but separated two years later and became independent.
5. Logistical
9 airports
Ranked 6th in world for marine merchant
3,356 km of roadways
122 km of pipelines
Port and terminal into Singapore Straight
7% Goods and Services Tax
High excise taxes on beer, wine and
liquor, tobacco products, motor vehicles
and petroleum products.
Prudent macroeconomic policy within a stable political and legal environment has been
the key to Singapore’s continuing success in maintaining one of the world’s highest levels
of economic freedom. Well-secured property rights promote entrepreneurship and
productivity growth. A strong tradition of minimum tolerance for corruption is
institutionalized in an efficient judicial framework, strongly sustaining the rule of
law. Singapore’s openness to global trade and investment has facilitated the emergence
of a more competitive financial sector and continues to provide real stimulus and ensure
economic dynamism.
6. Why Singapore?
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Singapore is one of only 14 economies in the world with a sovereign credit rating of AAA from
Standard & Poors.
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) is Asia’s most internationalized exchange with more than 40% of
companies listed originating outside of Singapore. SGX also offers the world’s largest offshore
market for Asian equity futures market, which is centered on Asia’s three largest economies:
China, India, and Japan.
Singapore is the fourth-largest foreign currency trading center in the world, according to the Bank
for International Settlements
Singapore is the fourth-largest foreign currency trading center in the world, according to the Bank
for International Settlements
Singapore is the fourth-strongest financial market in the world. The World Economic Forum
praised the country for its high degree of financial stability, bank efficiency, and commercial
access to capital.
The Singapore-dollar bond market is one of the most international bond markets in Asia, with
more than a quarter of its private bonds coming from foreign issuers.
Singapore has the highest concentration of millionaire households, with 15.5% of all households
having at least $1 million in assets under management.
And with all those millionaires and more wealth coming in from across Asia, Singapore
could overtake Switzerland as the world’s largest offshore wealth hub by 2020, according to
WealthInsight, a London-based research firm.
CFA Society Singapore is the first and oldest member society of CFA Institute outside North
America. It is one of the top 10 largest member societies.
There are more than 500 players in the asset management industry in Singapore, with total assets
under management of more than S$1.4 trillion.
7. Helpful links
• http://www.heritage.org/index/country/singapore
• http://annual.cfainstitute.org/2013/05/16/10-facts-about-the-singaporefinancial-market/
Outline of Singapore’s government:
• http://www.gov.sg/government/web/content/govsg/classic/about_us
Facts on the Singapore Economy and why it's good for international business
• http://app.singapore.sg/about-singapore/awards-and-rankings
Impressive Infographic about Singapore
• http://app.singapore.sg/about-singapore/sg-facts
CIA Factbook with hard numbers that show Singapore's promise
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html