Number of new PRs has dropped since 2010

SINGAPORE: The government will continue to calibrate the immigration framework to address the country’s population challenges and constraints, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

It is also reviewing the number of immigrants Singapore takes in as part of the ongoing review and public engagement on population issues.

Already, the number of new permanent residents (PRs) has dropped to 28,500 per year since 2010, following a tightening of the immigration framework in 2009.

The yearly average between 2004 and 2008 was 58,000.

Mr Teo also noted that the number of new Singapore citizens has remained relatively stable, at an average of 18,500 a year in the last five years.

Fewer citizenships were also granted last year because of the introduction of the Singapore Citizenship Journey — which lengthens the process by about two months.

Mr Teo said this in a written response to a question posed by Nominated Member of Parliament Ms Tan Su Shan.

He added that the granting of permanent residence and Singapore citizenship is dependent on a combination of factors that include the calibre and profile of the applicants, as well as the number of applications received.

— CNA/ck