Home/Singapore/Multicultural Demographics Religions Ethnic Harmony Guide

Demographics & Religious Harmony

Singapore Demographics, Religion & Racial and Religious Harmony Guide 2026

2026 guide to Singapore's population, ethnic and religious composition, official languages, religious freedom, MRHA, racial and religious harmony programmes and HDB EIP rules.

Statutory Overview & Urban Master Plan Framework

Singapore is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and secular state. The latest annual population data available for an August 2026 guide are for June 2025: the total population was 6.11 million, comprising 3.66 million citizens, 0.54 million permanent residents and 1.91 million non-residents. The latest official ethnic-mix series is published for the citizen population: in 2025, 75.5% of citizens were Chinese, 15.1% Malay, 7.6% Indian and 1.8% Others. Religious-affiliation percentages come from the decennial Census of Population 2020 and refer to Singapore residents aged 15 and over, not the whole population: Buddhism 31.1%, Christianity 18.9%, Islam 15.6%, Taoism 8.8%, Hinduism 5.0%, other religions 0.6% and no religion 20.0%. Singapore's constitutional framework protects freedom of religion, while legislation including the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and policies such as the Ethnic Integration Policy are designed to protect social cohesion and prevent communal enclaves or conflict.

Singapore population in 2026 context

Reference Date

June 2025

HDB Resale Median Price Table (1Q 2026)

Ethnic composition

Reference Date

June 2025

Population Base

Singapore Citizens

HDB Resale Median Price Table (1Q 2026)

Religious affiliation

Reference Year

Census of Population 2020

Population Base

Singapore residents aged 15 years and over

HDB Resale Median Price Table (1Q 2026)

Official and national languages

Official Languages

•English

•Malay

•Mandarin

•Tamil

National Language

Malay (Article 153A Constitution)

Religious freedom and Singapore's secular framework

Constitutional Right

Article 15(1) Constitution protects freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion.

Secular State

Secular government policymaking without favouring a state religion.

Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA)

Statute

MRHA 1990

Council

Presidential Council for Religious Harmony

Restraining Orders

Sections 8 & 9 Restraining Orders against threats to religious harmony.

HDB Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) & SPR Quota

Purpose

Prevents racial enclaves in HDB public housing.

Spr Quota

Block Limit

Neighbourhood Limit

Dynamic Check

Quotas updated monthly on 1st of every month.

Community programmes for racial and religious harmony

Harmony Circles

Racial and Religious Harmony Circle (~2,000 members across 97 circles as of July 2026)

Declaration

Declaration on Religious Harmony (2003)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The latest official annual population figure available for an August 2026 guide is 6.11 million as of June 2025. It comprised 3.66 million citizens, 0.54 million permanent residents and 1.91 million non-residents.

The latest annual citizen ethnic-mix data for June 2025 show 75.5% Chinese, 15.1% Malay, 7.6% Indian and 1.8% Others. These percentages refer to Singapore citizens, not citizens and PRs combined.

The latest comprehensive Census religion data are for Singapore residents aged 15 and over in 2020: Buddhism 31.1%, Christianity 18.9%, Islam 15.6%, Taoism 8.8%, Hinduism 5.0%, other religions 0.6% and no religion 20.0%.

No. Singapore's constitutional framework protects freedom of religion, and the Government describes its policymaking approach as secular and not favouring a particular religion. Article 15 of the Constitution protects the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to applicable law.

The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990 is a current Singapore statute designed to address conduct that threatens religious harmony. It provides for Restraining Orders in specified circumstances, establishes the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony and includes provisions addressing foreign influence and religion-related offences. The legal test depends on the exact statutory provision and conduct.

The EIP sets ethnic limits at HDB block and neighbourhood levels to promote a balanced mix of communities. The prevailing quota is dynamic and updated monthly. Non-Malaysian SPR households must also satisfy a separate SPR quota of 8% at block level and 5% at neighbourhood level. Buyers should check the current quota for the specific flat before and during the relevant resale transaction milestones.