Editing Demographics of Singapore (section)

===Population white paper===
{{main|Population White Paper}}

In early 2013, the [[Parliament of Singapore]] debated over the policies recommended by the Population White Paper entitled ''A Sustainable Population for a Dynamic Singapore''. Citing that Singapore's 900,000 Baby Boomers would comprise a quarter of the citizen population by 2030 and that its workforce would shrink "from 2020 onwards", the White Paper projected that by 2030, Singapore's "total population could range between 6.5 and 6.9 million", with resident population between 4.2 and 4.4 million and citizen population between 3.6 and 3.8 million. The White Paper called for an increase in the number of foreign workers so as to provide balance between the number of skilled and less-skilled workers, as well as provide healthcare and domestic services. It also claimed that foreign workers help businesses thrive when the economy is good.<ref>{{cite web |title=''A Sustainable Population for a Dynamic Singapore''. |url=http://202.157.171.46/whitepaper/downloads/population-white-paper.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218092002/http://202.157.171.46/whitepaper/downloads/population-white-paper.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> The motion was passed<ref>[http://www.straitstimes.com/microsites/parliament/story/amended-motion-white-paper-adopted-69-million-not-target-20130209 Amended motion on white paper adopted; 6.9 million is not a target.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304202829/http://www.straitstimes.com/microsites/parliament/story/amended-motion-white-paper-adopted-69-million-not-target-20130209|date=4 March 2013}} ''The Straits Times''. 9 February 2013.</ref> albeit after amendments made to leave out "population policy" and add focus on infrastructure and transport development.

The White Paper was heavily criticised and panned by opposition parties and government critics.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Workers' Party's Population Policy Paper: "A Dynamic Population for a Sustainable Singapore": The Workers' Party of Singapore |url=http://wp.sg/2013/02/the-workers-partys-population-policy-paper-a-dynamic-population-for-a-sustainable-singapore/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301085335/http://wp.sg/2013/02/the-workers-partys-population-policy-paper-a-dynamic-population-for-a-sustainable-singapore/ |archive-date=1 March 2013 |access-date=9 March 2013}} The Workers' Party's Population Policy Paper: "A Dynamic Population for a Sustainable Singapore" ''The Workers' Party''.</ref> Member of Parliament [[Low Thia Khiang]] of the [[Workers' Party of Singapore]] had criticised current measures of increasing the fertility rate, claiming that this would lead to an increase of a higher cost of living and discourage young couples from having more kids. As for current immigration policies, he had noted that immigrants were a source of friction for Singaporeans and that an increased population would put more stress and strain on the urban infrastructure.<ref>[http://wp.sg/2013/02/a-sustainable-singapore-with-a-dynamic-singaporean-majority-mp-low-thia-khiang/ A Sustainable Singapore with a Dynamic Singaporean majority – MP Low Thia Khiang] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315182137/http://wp.sg/2013/02/a-sustainable-singapore-with-a-dynamic-singaporean-majority-mp-low-thia-khiang|date=15 March 2013}} ''The Workers' Party''.</ref> On 16 February 2013, nearly 3,000 people rallied to protest against the White Paper at [[Hong Lim Park]] and raised concerns that the increased population would lead to the deterioration of public service and the increase of the cost of living.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 February 2013 |title=Rare Singapore protest against population plan |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/02/17/rare-singapore-protest-against-population-plan.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218035052/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/02/17/rare-singapore-protest-against-population-plan.html |archive-date=18 February 2013}}</ref>