Singapore tops the list of most-desired migration destination for the young and educated, according to a new poll.
A total of 350,000 adults in 148 countries were asked in a Gallup poll whether, if given the opportunity, they would like to move permanently to another country, and if so, where.
Based on the poll results, Singapore’s population would grow by a whopping 219 per cent, from its current 5 million to 15 million, if it opened its doors to anyone who wanted to migrate to the city-state.
The results send the Lion City to the top of Gallup’s Potential Net Migration Index, which is measured by subtracting the number of people who want to move out of a country from those who want to move in Singapore. Coming in second is New Zealand followed by Canada and Switzerland.
Singapore is also the only economy in developed Asia – which includes Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan – that would not suffer a brain drain if people around the world can migrate anywhere they want.
In fact, the country would have four times its current number of educated adults, defined as those holding at least a bachelor’s degree. There would also be a six-fold increase in the number of those aged between 15 and 29.
However, The Straits Times reported that the findings comes with two caveats. Firstly, it measures aspirations and not intentions. Second, Singapore’s small population means the impact of the migration shifts is magnified.
This means one million people eyeing Singapore would make a huge difference to its population as compared to say the population of 300 million in the United States. In addition, the report did not give the absolute net number of people who intend to migrate into – or out of – each country.
Still, Singapore is faring well when compared to other countries of similar population sizes.
For instances, Hong Kong, populated with seven million people, would lose 28 per cent of its educated people and 5 per cent of its young people. On the other hand, Norway, with five million people, would see its educated group increase by just 15 per cent.
Research fellow Leong Chan Hoong of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), who studies migration patterns, said that Singapore’s strong performance is due to its strategic location within Asia.
“Asia, being a dynamic region, is attracting young, talented people hungry for success. And Singapore — compared with Japan and South Korea — is known as a place where we speak English, is safe, and has a good education system.”
The index report also debunks conventional views that Singapore only attracts families while young and single professionals prefer Hong Kong.
According to Dr Leong, this can be accorded to the branding strategies that market Singapore as a dynamic destination.
He added, “With greater investment in arts and entertainment, from the Esplanade to the integrated resorts, Singapore is now more vibrant with attractive lifestyle offerings to global talent.”
A total of 350,000 adults in 148 countries were asked in a Gallup poll whether, if given the opportunity, they would like to move permanently to another country, and if so, where.
Based on the poll results, Singapore’s population would grow by a whopping 219 per cent, from its current 5 million to 15 million, if it opened its doors to anyone who wanted to migrate to the city-state.
The results send the Lion City to the top of Gallup’s Potential Net Migration Index, which is measured by subtracting the number of people who want to move out of a country from those who want to move in Singapore. Coming in second is New Zealand followed by Canada and Switzerland.
Singapore is also the only economy in developed Asia – which includes Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan – that would not suffer a brain drain if people around the world can migrate anywhere they want.
In fact, the country would have four times its current number of educated adults, defined as those holding at least a bachelor’s degree. There would also be a six-fold increase in the number of those aged between 15 and 29.
However, The Straits Times reported that the findings comes with two caveats. Firstly, it measures aspirations and not intentions. Second, Singapore’s small population means the impact of the migration shifts is magnified.
This means one million people eyeing Singapore would make a huge difference to its population as compared to say the population of 300 million in the United States. In addition, the report did not give the absolute net number of people who intend to migrate into – or out of – each country.
Still, Singapore is faring well when compared to other countries of similar population sizes.
For instances, Hong Kong, populated with seven million people, would lose 28 per cent of its educated people and 5 per cent of its young people. On the other hand, Norway, with five million people, would see its educated group increase by just 15 per cent.
Research fellow Leong Chan Hoong of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), who studies migration patterns, said that Singapore’s strong performance is due to its strategic location within Asia.
“Asia, being a dynamic region, is attracting young, talented people hungry for success. And Singapore — compared with Japan and South Korea — is known as a place where we speak English, is safe, and has a good education system.”
The index report also debunks conventional views that Singapore only attracts families while young and single professionals prefer Hong Kong.
According to Dr Leong, this can be accorded to the branding strategies that market Singapore as a dynamic destination.
He added, “With greater investment in arts and entertainment, from the Esplanade to the integrated resorts, Singapore is now more vibrant with attractive lifestyle offerings to global talent.”