SINGAPORE is debating whether the estimated 6.5-6.9 million population projection for 2030 is too high. While not discussing all important relevant aspects, this article discusses some common fallacies about immigration and population.
When people encounter serious congestion, it is very common to think: “If the number of cars on the road were halved, how nice it would be!” or “If the number of passengers in the carriage is halved, how nice it would be!”
Thus, many people blame congestion and pollution on the population size. One should also consider this: Given the amount of per capita investment, if the population size and number of cars were halved, the width of the road would also roughly be halved. There would then likely be more instead of less congestion!
With fewer people, the MRT could not have so many lines; the frequency of trains and buses would also be much lower. I live inside the NTU campus and have occasions to catch the No 179 bus. Once, just before reaching the bus-stop, I saw two 179 buses passing. I thought I would have to wait at least 15 minutes, but the next 179 bus came in less than two minutes. This is the advantage of a larger population most people ignore.
Is 6.9 million really too much for Singapore?
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