Singapore's 2025 Birth and Death Figures: A Closer Look at the ICA Report
Singapore recorded 29,864 live births in 2025, an 11.4 percent decrease from 33,703 in 2024, according to the Report on the Registration of Births and Deaths released by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on 27 July 2026. Deaths rose only slightly, from 26,442 to 26,499, an increase of 0.2 percent. As a result, Singapore's natural increase, the excess of births over deaths, narrowed sharply to 3,365 in 2025, down from 7,261 the year before.
On a per-resident basis, the crude birth rate fell to 6.5 per 1,000 residents in 2025, from 7.4 in 2024, while the crude death rate held steady at 6.0. This brought the crude rate of natural increase down to 0.5 per 1,000 residents, from 1.3 in 2024 and 5.9 in 2006. The report follows Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong's statement in Parliament in February that Singapore's resident total fertility rate had fallen to a historic low of 0.87 in 2025.
First-time mothers are older than before
The median age of resident first-time mothers rose to 32.1 years in 2025, continuing a steady climb over the past five years. About 47.5 percent of all babies born in 2025 were to first-time mothers.
| Year | Median age of first-time mothers |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 31.3 |
| 2022 | 31.4 |
| 2023 | 31.6 |
| 2024 | 31.9 |
| 2025 | 32.1 |
Patterns by ethnic group
The report noted that Chinese residents recorded a natural decrease in 2025, with 3,071 more deaths than live births. Malay, Indian and other resident groups continued to record natural increases, at 3,006, 1,199 and 2,231 respectively.
Leading causes of death
Malignant neoplasms (cancer) and heart and hypertensive diseases remained the two leading causes of death in 2025, together accounting for 52.1 percent of all registered deaths, with 7,046 and 6,753 deaths respectively. Lung and respiratory system diseases followed, with 6,549 deaths. These figures are provisional, with finalised numbers to be published in next year's report. Residents aged 60 and above accounted for 87.4 percent of all deaths, and the median age at death rose to 78.2 years, up from 76.1 in 2016.
Why it matters
This report provides an official, dated snapshot of Singapore's demographic trajectory: fewer births, a narrowing natural increase, and an ageing resident population. These trends sit alongside the Government's separately announced citizenship intake plans, and form part of the broader population and workforce context in which PR, Citizenship and work pass frameworks continue to operate.
Key takeaways
Singapore's live births fell below 30,000 for the first time on record, while deaths remained largely stable. The resulting natural increase, and the crude rate of natural increase, both continued a multi-year decline. First-time mothers are having children later, and the population's median age at death continues to rise.
Beacon's view
Published demographic reports such as this one offer useful, dated context for anyone following Singapore's population and immigration landscape, without indicating how any individual PR, Citizenship or work pass application is assessed. Each application continues to be considered on its own facts and circumstances.
For individuals exploring Singapore PR or Citizenship, reports like this are a reminder that population planning is a long-term, ongoing process, separate from the assessment of any individual application.