The Indian community in Singapore has made notable strides in education and income, according to Ministry for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam. Based on Singapore’s population census, the minister highlighted that among Indians aged 25 and above, 41% hold degrees, up from 16.5% in 2000. This translates to four in 10 Indians being graduates, with Minister Shanmugam attributing this progress to both immigration and the community’s improvement.
Important Highlights
Some key highlights of the Indian community’s progress in Singapore include:
- Increased median household income: The median monthly income of Indian households rose by 40% between 2010 and 2020, from SGD 6,000 to SGD 8,500.
- Fewer school dropouts: The percentage of Indians leaving school without a secondary education decreased from 38% in 2000 to 18% in 2020.
- More graduates: The proportion of Indians with degrees increased significantly, with 41% of those aged 25 and above holding degrees in 2020.
The Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda) has played a crucial role in supporting the Indian community’s progress. In 2024, Sinda helped nearly 31,500 individuals through various programs, thanks to the support of 578 partners and over 400 volunteers. The organization received SGD 1.7 million in donations in 2024, which enabled it to provide education support and other services to the community.
Despite the progress made, Minister Shanmugam emphasized that more can be done to support the Indian community. He emphasized the need to further reduce the dropout rate, noting that one in five Indians still leave school without a secondary education. Sinda’s efforts will continue to be crucial in addressing these challenges and promoting the community’s well-being.
Indians represent 7.6% of Singapore’s citizen population of close to six million, while Malays and Chinese make up 15.1% and 75.6% of the population, respectively. The city-state’s population growth is driven by immigration, particularly professionals taking Singapore citizenship, due to a slower baby birth rate of below 1%. The progress made by the Indian community in Singapore is a testament to the effectiveness of initiatives like Sinda and the community’s own efforts to improve education and economic outcomes.
