Singapore - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Singapore, it was name derives from the Sanskrit words simha (lion) and pur (city); according to Malayan folklore, an Indian prince visited Singapore in the 7th century and mistook the first animal he saw for a lion, which is not native to the country. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: no first-order administrative divisions; five community development councils: Central Singapore Development Council, North East Development Council, North West Development Council, South East Development Council, South West Development Council (2019)
National symbols
Lion, merlion (mythical half-lion, half-fish creature), orchid.
The flag
The National flag of Singapore has .
Info
The National Anthem
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More about the government of Singapore
| Date of Independence | 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) |
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| National holiday | National Day, 9 August (1965) |
| Legal system | English common law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965 |
| Amendment process | Proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in the second and third readings by the elected Parliament membership and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting sovereignty or control of the Police Force or the Armed Forces requires at least two-thirds majority vote in a referendum |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 10 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (since 14 September 2023) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Lawrence WONG (since 15 May 2024) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; responsible to Parliament |
| Election/appointment process | president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits); following legislative elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime ministers also appointed by the president |
| Most recent election date | 1 September 2023 |
| Election results | 2023: THARMAN Shanmugaratnam elected president; percent of vote - THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (independent) 70.4%, NG Kok Song (independent) 15.7%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 13.9% 2017: HALIMAH Yacob declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate |
| Expected date of next election | 2029 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Parliament |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 108 (97 directly elected; 9 appointed) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 5/3/2025 |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 32.3% |
| Expected date of next election | May 2030 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (number of judges varies but includes judicial commissioners, judges of appeal, and international judges); the court is organized into an upper-tier Appeal Court and a lower-tier High Court |
| Judge selection and term of office | Judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; judges usually serve until retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended |
| Subordinate courts | District, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals; employment claims tribunals |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador LUI Tuck Yew (since 30 June 2023) |
| Chancery | 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 537-3100 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 537-0876 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/ |
| Consulate(s) general | San Francisco |
| Consulate(s) | New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Graham MAYER (since August 2025) |
| Embassy | 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 |
| Mailing address | 4280 Singapore Place, Washington DC 20521-4280 |
| Telephone | [65] 6476-9100 |
| FAX | [65] 6476-9340 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://sg.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 1 (cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Singapore Botanic Gardens |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Singapore
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Singapore
Want to know more about Singapore? Check all different factbooks for Singapore below.
