NDR 2026: Singapore will welcome foreign manpower, but ensure citizens remain the majority
Newcomers and Singaporeans must both make efforts towards integration, says PM Wong
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong addressed the nation in his National Day Rally speech on August 23, stating that Singapore will continue to welcome foreign manpower in a "careful and controlled way," while also refreshing its citizen population at a "measured and sustainable pace." Wong emphasized that Singaporeans must remain the majority in the country.
While businesses often seek to ease foreign worker policies due to jobs that Singaporeans deem undesirable, even a modest policy relaxation could lead to a significant increase in numbers. The prime minister stated that technology and productivity must drive more of Singapore's growth, rather than an influx of foreign workers. Wong reiterated that Singapore will remain multiracial and multireligious, with the current ethnic balance broadly maintained.
He highlighted the importance of integration, both for newcomers and Singaporeans, to ensure that the Singapore they know and cherish endures.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
