NDR 2026: Singapore's multiracial character will endure even as country stays open to newcomers, says PM Wong
Singapore will continue to broadly maintain its current ethnic balance, a policy which has served the country well, says Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Singapore's multiracial and multireligious character will endure, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong affirmed in his National Day Rally speech on August 23. Despite maintaining its current ethnic balance, Wong emphasized that the country remains open to newcomers, stating that "Every community will continue to have its place in Singapore – its language, culture and traditions."
Wong stressed that Singapore will continue to support integration, with newcomers making efforts to fit in while Singaporeans extend open hearts. The prime minister announced measures to support families, acknowledging the country's low total fertility rate, which is unlikely to replace its population. Singapore has historically welcomed new citizens, as nearly all Singaporeans have ancestral ties to other lands.
Today, one in every three marriages involves a Singaporean and a non-citizen. Wong emphasized that being Singaporean is about commitment to the country's values and future, not ancestry. Singapore will manage population growth by blending immigration with technological advancements and productivity, ensuring that Singaporeans remain the majority.
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