text:
Economy of Singapore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 27 May 2018.
Jump to: navigation, search
Economy of Singapore
Skyline of Singapore's CBD
Currency
Singapore dollar (SGD/S$)
Fiscal year
1 April – 31 March
Trade organisations
WTO, APEC, IOR-ARC, ASEAN
Statistics
GDP
US$349.7 billion (nominal; 2018 est.)[1]
US$554.9 billion (PPP; 2018 est.)[1]
GDP rank
37th (nominal)
39th (PPP)
GDP growth
3.6% (2017)[2][3]
GDP per capita
US$61,766 (nominal; 2018 est.)[1]
US$98,014 (PPP; 2018 est.)[1]
GDP per capita rank
9th (nominal)
3rd (PPP)
GDP by sector
Agriculture: 0%
Industry: 26.6%
Services: 73.4% (2016 est.)
Inflation (CPI)
0.4% (August 2017)
Population below poverty line
N/A
Gini coefficient
46.4 (2014)
Labour force
3.661 million (2016 est.)[4]
Labour force by occupation
Agriculture: 0.96%
Industry: 15.5%
Services: 83.5% (2016 est)
Unemployment
2.1% (December 2017)
Main industries
Electronics
chemicals
financial services
oil drilling equipment
petroleum refining
rubber
food and beverages
ship repair
offshore construction
life sciences
entrepot trade
Ease-of-doing-business rank
2nd (2018)[5]
External
Exports
US$329.7 billion (2016)[6]
Export goods
Machinery and Equipment
Electronics and Telecommunications
Pharmaceuticals and Other Chemicals
Refined Petroleum Products
Main export partners
China 13%
Hong Kong 12.6%
Malaysia 10.6%
European Union 9%
Indonesia 7.8%
Other 47%[6]
Imports
US$282.9 billion (2016)[6]
Import goods
Machinery and Equipment
Mineral Fuels
Chemicals
Foodstuffs
Consumer Goods
Main import partners
China 14.3%
European Union 13.6%
Malaysia 11.4%
United States 10.9%
Taiwan 8.2%
Other 41.7%[6]
FDI stock
Inward: US$1.096 trillion
Outward: US$682.4 billion (2016)[7]
Current account
US$61.172 billion (2015 est.) [8]
Gross external debt
US$1.32 trillion (30 June 2017)[9]
Net international investment position
S$738.811 billion (Q1 2015) [10]
Public finances
Public debt
110.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Revenues
S$69.45 billion (2017 est.)[11]
Expenses
S$75.07 billion (2017 est.) [11]
Economic aid
None
Credit rating
Standard & Poor's:[12]
AAA (Domestic)
AAA (Foreign)
AAA (T&C Assessment)
Outlook: Stable[13]
Moody's:[13]
Aaa
Outlook: Stable
Fitch:[13]
AAA
Outlook: Stable
Foreign reserves
US$279 billion (October 2017)[14]
Main data source: CIA World Fact Book
All values, unless otherwise stated, are in US dollars.
The economy of Singapore is a highly developed free-market economy.[15][16] Singapore's economy has been ranked as the most open in the world,[17] 7th least corrupt,[18] most pro-business,[19] with low tax rates (14.2% of Gross Domestic Product, GDP)[20] and has the third highest per-capita GDP in the world in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). APEC is headquartered in Singapore.
Government-linked companies play a substantial role in Singapore's economy. Sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings holds majority stakes in several of the nation's largest companies, such as Singapore Airlines, SingTel, ST Engineering and MediaCorp. The Singaporean economy is a major Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) outflow financier in the world. Singapore has also benefited from the inward flow of FDI from global investors and institutions due to its highly attractive investment climate and a stable political environment.[21]
Exports, particularly in electronics, chemicals and services including Singapore's position as the regional hub for wealth management[22][23][24] provide the main source of revenue for the economy, which allows it to purchase natural resources and raw goods which it lacks. Moreover, water is scarce in Singapore[25] therefore it is defined as a precious resource along with the scarcity of land to be treated with land fill of Pulau Semakau. Singapore has limited arable land,[26] meaning that Singapore has to rely on the agrotechnology park[27] for agricultural production and consumption. Human resources is another vital issue for the health of the Singaporean economy.[28] The economy of Singapore ranks 2nd overall in the Scientific American Biotechnology ranking in 2014,[29] with the featuring of Biopolis.
Singapore could thus be said to rely on an extended concept of intermediary trade to Entrepôt trade, by purchasing raw goods and refining them for re-export, such as in the wafer fabrication industry and oil refining. Singapore also has a strategic port which makes it more competitive than many of its neighbours in carrying out such entrepot activities. Singapore's trade to GDP ratio is among the highest in the world, averaging around 400% during 2008–11.[30][31] The Port of Singapore is the second-busiest in the world by cargo tonnage. In addition, Singapore's port infrastructure and skilled workforce, which is due to the success of the country's education policy in producing skilled workers, is also fundamental in this aspect as they provide easier access to markets for both importing and exporting, and also provide the skill(s) needed to refine imports into exports.
Singapore's government promotes high levels of savings and investment through policies such as the Central Provident Fund, which is used to fund its citizen's healthcare and retirement needs. Most companies in Singapore are registered as private limited-liability companies (commonly known as "private limited companies"). A private limited company in Singapore is a separate legal entity, and shareholders are not liable for the company's debts beyond the amount of share capital they have contributed.
To preserve its international standing and further its economic prosperity in the 21st century, Singapore has taken measures to promote innovation, encourage entrepreneurship and re-train its workforce. [32] Also, to attract foreign talent, the government issues various employment permits and passes, subject to qualification criteria (such as relevant educational and professional experience), quotas, foreign worker levies (taxes), permit/pass fees, minimum insurance requirements, employer-paid repatriation guarantees, permit/pass term limits and renewal requirements, minimum wage thresholds, requirements to advertise open positions to resident workers before accepting foreign workers, limitations on accompanying dependents, and restrictions on marrying citizens, as examples. The exact set of requirements varies depending on the permit or pass type, and the Ministry of Manpower (Singapore) (MoM) is primarily responsible for setting, adjusting, and enforcing foreign worker immigration rules. A small percentage of foreign workers, foreign dependents, and foreign students become Singapore Permanent Residents. Some PRs eventually naturalize as citizens. Singapore has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, so this limited path to citizenship (for about 22,000 per year) is critical to Singapore’s demographic future. Singapore relies heavily on foreign talent across all social strata, and foreign guest workers utterly dominate certain occupations. For example, there are approximately 243,000 Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) in Singapore[33], live-in maids from regional developing countries, who provide domestic services, including child and elder care. As another example, foreign workers, mainly from southern Asia, dominate the manual labor aspects of the construction industry in Singapore.

Life in Singapore
Culture
Dance
Demographics
Driving
Economy
Education
Film
Holidays
Languages
Literature
Music
Politics
Religion
Singapore English
Sports
Transport
Conscription
v
t
e
Contents
[hide]
1 Economy Statistics
2 Economy History
3 State enterprise and investment
4 Sectors
4.1 Banking
4.2 Biotechnology
4.3 Energy and infrastructure
4.4 Real estate
5 Trade, investment and aid
5.1 International trade agreements
6 Singapore workforce
7 Poverty and Wealth Inequality
8 Public finance
9 Monetary policy
10 Mergers and Acquisitions
11 Facts & figures
12 International rankings
13 See also
14 References
15 External links
Economy Statistics[edit]
Economy Statistics (Recent Years) : Year 2011 To Year 2014
Sources:[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]
Year
GDP
Nominal
(Billion)
GDP
Nominal
Per Capita
GDP Real
(Billion)
GNI
Nominal
(Billion)
GNI
Nominal
Per Capita
Foreign
Reserves
(Billion)
Avg.
Exchange Rate
(1US$ to S$)
2011 US$275.369
S$346.353 US$53,122
S$66,816 S$342.371 US$250.515
S$338.452 S$65,292 US$237.737 S$1.2573
2012 US$289.941
S$362.332 US$54,578
S$68,205 S$354.061 US$273.022
S$351.765 S$66,216 US$259.307 S$1.2498
2013 US$302.245
S$378.200 US$55,979
S$70,047 S$324.592 US$294.692
S$366.618 S$67,902 US$273.065 S$1.2513
2014 US$308.051
S$390.089 US$56,319
S$71,318 S$380.585 US$301.638
S$378.329 S$69,168 US$256.860 S$1.2671
Economy Statistics Since Year 1970 To Year 2010
Sources:[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]
Year
GDP
Nominal
(Billion)
GDP
Nominal
Per Capita
GNI
Nominal
(Billion)
GNI
Nominal
Per Capita
Foreign
Reserves
(Billion)
Avg.
Exchange Rate
(1US$ to S$)
1970 US$1.919
S$5.876 US$925
S$2,832 US$1.937
S$5.932 US$934
S$2,860 US$1.750 N/A
1975 US$5.789
S$13.728 US$2,559
S$6,067 US$5.841
S$13.851 US$2,582
S$6,122 US$3.007 N/A
1980 US$12.078
S$25.863 US$5,004
S$10,714 US$11.899
S$24.536 US$4,747
S$10,165 US$6.571 N/A
1985 US$18.555
S$40.823 US$6,782
S$14,921 US$19.220
S$41.161 US$6,838
S$15,045 US$12.860 S$2.1213
1990 US$38.899
S$70.507 US$12,766
S$23,139 US$36.675
S$69.798 US$12,638
S$22,907 US$27.789 S$1.8125
1995 US$87.891
S$124.575 US$24,937
S$35,346 US$83.220
S$125.475 US$25,117
S$35,601 US$68.819 S$1.4174
2000 US$95.835
S$165.217 US$23,794
S$41,018 US$95.330
S$164.205 US$23,648
S$40,767 US$80.169 S$1.7239
2005 US$127.417
S$212.074 US$29,866
S$49,715 US$121.000
S$198.050 US$27,891
S$46,428 US$116.172 S$1.6646
2010 US$236.420
S$322.361 US$46,569
S$63,498 US$227.377
S$235,076 US$46,305
S$63,137 US$225.754 S$1.3635
Economy History[edit]
Upon independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore faced a small domestic market, and high levels of unemployment and poverty.70 percent of Singapore's households lived in badly overcrowded conditions, and a third of its people squatted in slums on the city fringes. Unemployment averaged 14 percent, GDP per capita was US$516, and half of the population was illiterate.[50][51]
In response, the Singapore government established the Economic Development Board to spearhead an investment drive, and make Singapore an attractive destination for foreign investment.[51] FDI inflows increased greatly over the following decades, and by 2001 foreign companies accounted for 75% of manufactured output and 85% of manufactured exports. Meanwhile, Singapore's savings and investment rates rose among the highest levels in the world, while household consumption and wage shares of GDP fell among the lowest.[52][53][54]
As a result of this investment drive, Singapore's capital stock increased 33 times by 1992, and achieved a tenfold increase in the capital-labor ratio.[55] Living standards steadily rose, with more families moving from a lower-income status to middle-income security with increased household incomes. During a National Day Rally speech in 1987, Lee Kuan-Yew claimed that (based on the home ownership criterion) 80% of Singaporeans could now be considered to be members of the middle-class. However, much unlike the economic policies of Greece and the rest of Europe, Singapore followed a policy of individualising the social safety net. This led to a higher than average savings rate and a very sustainable economy in the long run. Without a burdensome welfare state or its likeliness, Singapore has developed a very self-reliant and skilled workforce well versed for a global economy.[56]
Singapore's economic strategy produced real growth averaging 8.0% from 1960 to 1999. The economy picked up in 1999 after the regional financial crisis, with a growth rate of 5.4%, followed by 9.9% for 2000. However, the economic slowdown in the United States, Japan and the European Union, as well as the worldwide electronics slump, had reduced the estimated economic growth in 2001 to a negative 2.0%.
The economy expanded by 2.2% the following year, and by 1.1% in 2003 when Singapore was affected by the SARS outbreak. Subsequently, a major turnaround occurred in 2004 allowed it to make a significant recovery of 8.3% growth in Singapore, although the actual growth fell short of the target growth for the year more than half with only 2.5%. In 2005, economic growth was 6.4%; and in 2006, 7.9%.
As of 8 June 2013, Singapore's unemployment rate is around 1.9% and the country's economy has a lowered growth rate, with a rate of 1.8% on a quarter-by-quarter basis—compared to 14.8% in 2010.
State enterprise and investment[edit]
Singapore's State Owned Enterprises as a percent of GDP
The public sector is used both as an investor and as a catalyst for economic development and innovation. The government of Singapore has two sovereign wealth funds, Temasek Holdings and GIC Private Limited, which are used to manage the country's reserves.[57] Initially the state's role was oriented more toward managing industries for economic development, but in recent decades the objectives of Singapore's sovereign wealth funds have shifted to a commercial basis.[58]
Government-linked corporations play a substantial role in Singapore's domestic economy. As of November 2011, the top six Singapore-listed GLCs accounted for about 17 percent of total capitalization of the Singapore Exchange (SGX). These fully and partially state-owned enterprises operate on a commercial basis and are granted no competitive advantage over privately owned enterprises. State ownership is prominent in strategic sectors of the economy, including telecommunications, media, public transportation, defence, port, airport operations as well as banking, shipping, airline, infrastructure and real estate.[58]
As of 2014, Temasek holds S$69 billion of assets in Singapore, accounting for 7% of the total capitalization of Singapore-listed companies.[59][60]
Sectors[edit]
To maintain its competitive position despite rising wages, the government seeks to promote higher value-added activities in the manufacturing and services sectors. It also has opened, or is in the process of opening, the financial services, telecommunications, and power generation and retailing sectors up to foreign service providers and greater competition. The government has also attempted some measures including wage restraint measures and release of unused buildings in an effort to control rising commercial rents with the view to lowering the cost of doing business in Singapore when central business district office rents tripled in 2006.[citation needed]
Banking[edit]
Singapore is considered a global financial hub, with Singapore banks offering world-class corporate bank account facilities. In the 2017 Global Financial Centres Index, Singapore was ranked as having the third most competitive financial center in the world after London and New York City (and alongside cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, San Francisco, Chicago, Sydney, Boston, and Toronto).[61] These include multiple currencies, internet banking, telephone banking, checking accounts, savings accounts, debit and credit cards, fixed term deposits and wealth management services.[62] According to the Human Rights Watch, due to its role as a financial hub for the region, Singapore has continually been criticised for reportedly hosting bank accounts containing ill-gotten gains of corrupt leaders and their associates, including billions of dollars of Burma's state gas revenues hidden from national accounts.[63] Singapore has attracted assets formerly held in Swiss banks for several reasons, including new taxes imposed on Swiss accounts and a weakening of Swiss bank secrecy. Credit Suisse, the second largest Swiss bank, moved its head of international private banking to Singapore in 2005.[citation needed]
Tax evasion is illegal in Singapore; however, according to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development official, Singaporean authorities tend to cooperate with other countries' tax authorities only when evasion of Singaporean taxes is involved.
Biotechnology[edit]
Singapore is aggressively promoting and developing its biotechnology industry. Hundred of millions of dollars were invested into the sector to build up infrastructure, fund research and development and to recruit top international scientists to Singapore. Leading drug makers, such as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Pfizer and Merck & Co., have set up plants in Singapore. On 8 June 2006, GSK announced that it is investing another S$300 million to build another plant to produce paediatric vaccines, its first such facility in Asia.[64] Pharmaceuticals now account for more than 8% of the country's manufacturing production.[65]
Energy and infrastructure[edit]
Singapore is the pricing centre and leading oil trading hub in Asia. The oil industry makes up 5 per cent of Singapore's GDP, with Singapore being one of the top three export refining centres in the world. In 2007 it exported 68.1 million tonnes of oil. The oil industry has led to the promotion of the chemical industry as well as oil and gas equipment manufacturing.[66] Singapore has 70 per cent of the world market for both jack-up rigs and for the conversion of Floating Production Storage Offloading units. It has 20 per cent of the world market for ship repair, and in 2008 the marine and offshore industry employed almost 70,000 workers.[67]
Real estate[edit]
The Singaporean government also owns 90% of the country's land, as well as housing in which 80% of the population lives.[68]
Trade, investment and aid[edit]
This section needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2013)
Singaporean exports in 2006

Singapore's total trade in 2014 amounted to S$982 billion. Despite its small size, Singapore is currently the fifteenth-largest trading partner of the United States.[69] In 2014, Singapore's imports totalled $464 billion, and exports totalled $519 billion. Malaysia was Singapore's main import source, as well as its largest export market, absorbing 18% of Singapore's exports, with the United States close behind.
Malaysia is Singapore's biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade totalling roughly 91 billion US dollars in 2012, accounting for over a fifth of total trade within ASEAN. Singapore’s trade with major trading partners such as Malaysia, China, Indonesia and South Korea increased in 2012, while trade with EU27, United States, Hong Kong and Japan decreased in 2012. Since 2009, the value of exports exceeds imports for Singapore’s trade with China. In comparison, the value of imports exceeds exports for Singapore’s trade with the US since 2006.[70][71]
Re-exports accounted for 43% of Singapore's total sales to other countries in 2000. Singapore's principal exports are petroleum products, food/beverages, chemicals, textile/garments, electronic components, telecommunication apparatus, and transport equipment. Singapore's main imports are aircraft, crude oil and petroleum products, electronic components, radio and television receivers/parts, motor vehicles, chemicals, food/beverages, iron/steel, and textile yarns/fabrics.
Trade in Singapore has benefited from the extensive network of trade agreements Singapore has passed. According to Healy Consultants, Singapore has free trade access to the entirety of the ASEAN network, with import duty reduced when dealing with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) continues to attract investment funds on a large-scale for the country despite the city's relatively high-cost operating environment. The US leads in foreign investment, accounting for 40% of new commitments to the manufacturing sector in 2000. As of 1999, cumulative investment for manufacturing and services by American companies in Singapore reached approximately $20 billion (total assets). The bulk of US investment is in electronics manufacturing, oil refining and storage, and the chemical industry. More than 1,500 US firms operate in Singapore.
Singapore's largely corruption-free government, skilled workforce, and advanced and efficient infrastructure have attracted investments from more than 3,000 multinational corporations (MNCs) from the United States, Japan, and Europe. Foreign firms are found in almost all sectors of the economy. MNCs account for more than two-thirds of manufacturing output and direct export sales, although certain services sectors remain dominated by government-linked corporations.
The government also has encouraged firms to invest outside Singapore, with the country's total direct investments abroad reaching $39 billion by the end of 1998. The People's Republic of China was the top destination, accounting for 14% of total overseas investments, followed by Malaysia (10%), Hong Kong (8.9%), Indonesia (8.0%) and US (4.0%). The rapidly growing economy of India, especially the high technology sector, is becoming an expanding source of foreign investment for Singapore. The United States provides no bilateral aid to Singapore, but the US appears keen to improve bilateral trade and signed the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Singapore corporate tax is 17 per cent.[citation needed]
Year
Total trade
Imports
Exports
% Change
2000 $273 $135 $138 21%
2001 −9.4%
2002 $432 1.5%
2003 $516 $237 $279 9.6%
2004 $629 $293 $336 21.9%
2005 $716 $333 $383 14%
2006 $810 $379 $431 13.2%
2014 $983 $464 $519 21.3% change from 2006 to 2014
All figures in billions of Singapore dollars.
International trade agreements[edit]
Economy
Agreement
Abbreviation
Concluded
Signed
Effective
Legal text
Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership CSP 6 May 2016[72] 2015
New Zealand Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership ANZSCEP 18 August 2000 14 November 2000 1 January 2001 [1]
European Free Trade Association Agreement between the EFTA States and Singapore EFTA-Singapore FTA 11 April 2002 26 June 2002 1 January 2003 [2]
Japan Agreement between Japan and the Republic of Singapore for a New-Age Economic Partnership JSEPA October 2001 13 January [3]
United States United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement USSFTA 19 November 2002 6 May 2003 1 January 2004 [4]
Jordan Singapore Jordan Free Trade Agreement SJFTA 29 April 2004 16 May 2004 [5]
Brunei Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement Trans-Pacific SEP August 2005 1 January 2006 [6]
Chile 18 July 2005
New Zealand 18 July 2005
India India – Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement India-Singapore CECA November 2004 29 June 2005 1 August 2005 [7]
Korea Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement KSFTA 28 November 2004 4 August 2005 End 2005 [8]
Peru Peru-Singapore Free Trade Agreement PesFTA September 2007 29 May 2008 Early 2009
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA 2016 23 January 2018 Mid 2018
Singapore workforce[edit]
In 2000, Singapore had a workforce of about 2.2 million. The country has the largest proficiency of English language speakers in Asia, making it an attractive place for multinational corporations.[73] The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), the sole trade union federation which has a symbiotic relationship with the ruling party, comprises almost 99% of total organised labour. Government policy and pro-activity rather than labour legislation controls general labour and trade union matters.[citation needed]
The Employment Act offers little protection to white-collar workers due to an income threshold. The Industrial Arbitration Court handles labour-management disputes that cannot be resolved informally through the Ministry of Manpower. The Singapore Government has stressed the importance of co-operation between unions, management and government (tripartism), as well as the early resolution of disputes. There has been only one strike in the past 15 years.
Singapore has enjoyed virtually full employment for long periods of time. Amid an economic slump, the unemployment rate rose to 4.0% by the end of 2001, from 2.4% early in the year. Unemployment has since declined and as of 2012 the unemployment rate stands at 1.9%.[74]
While the Singapore government has taken a stance against minimum wage and unemployment benefit schemes, in 2007 the government introduced a Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme to supplement wages of low-skilled workers.[75] In order to support employers in hiring older Singaporean workers, Special Employment Credit (SEC) was introduced in 2011. It was first enhanced in 2012 to provide employers with support in hiring older Singaporean workers and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). It helped the employers to cope with costs associated with the increase in Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rates for older workers. The 5 year SEC scheme was further extended to additional 3 years, up to 2019 to encourage employers to voluntarily re-employ older workers aged 65 and above.[76]
The Singapore Government and the NTUC have tried a range of programs to increase lagging productivity and boost the labour force participation rates of women and older workers. However, labour shortages persist in the service sector and in many low-skilled positions in the construction and electronics industries. Foreign workers help make up this shortfall. In 2000, there were about 600,000 foreign workers in Singapore, constituting 27% of the total work force. As a result, wages are relatively suppressed or do not rise for all workers. To have some controls, the government imposes a foreign worker levy payable by employers for low end workers like domestic help and construction workers.[77] In 2012, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) reported that Singapore should continue to fine-tune the calibration of its inflow of foreigners as the country continues to face an ageing population and a shrinking workforce. Singapore Parliament accepted the recommendations by its Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) for the optimal ratio of the level of immigration and foreign manpower for both high and low skilled workers.[78] The Government recognises that the current overall foreign workforce should complement the local resident workforce and not replace the Singaporean Core concept, and helps companies greatly as they raise productivity through business restructuring and workforce retraining; raise resident labour force participation rate.[79][80]
Poverty and Wealth Inequality[edit]
Singapore is one of the world’s wealthiest countries per capita, but its Gini coefficient (a standardized measure of inequality) is unusually high among developed countries. Singapore is also unusual in spending comparatively little on social programs, although subsidized public housing is nearly universally enjoyed among citizens.
The government has not set an official poverty line, and official poverty-related statistics are limited. Despite the absence of official statistics, there is ample anecdotal and indirect statistical evidence that poverty is a serious problem in Singapore. Limited official statistics on the number of households receiving ComCare assistance are available[81]. (ComCare provides a small amount of income support to profoundly poor citizen households in Singapore.)
Over 80% of Singaporeans live in government-subsidized Housing Development Board (HDB) public housing. HDB units are mostly sold as 99 year leaseholds to citizens, but a small percentage of low income citizens live in non-owned HDB units rent free. In late 2015 the Ministry of Health introduced compulsory MediShield Life hospitalization insurance, providing basic, limited coverage for medical care in Singapore’s public restructured hospitals. MediShield Life premiums are waived for the lowest income citizens. Singapore has no unemployment insurance. Public transport is well supported, and fares are low or, in some cases, zero.
Starting especially in the 2000s, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) introduced progressively tighter limits on credit and debt, to try to prevent Singaporeans from becoming too deeply indebted. For example, banks are not legally permitted to extend any credit card debt limit in excess of S$500 (total) to applicants with less than S$30,000 of annual income, and credit limits also apply above that threshold. HDB units, and citizens’ (and Permanent Residents’) savings in the Central Provident Fund (CPF), are generally well protected against creditors and court judgments, to help prevent utter destitution. As another example, the government requires citizens and PRs who wish to enter either of its two casinos (at Sentosa and Marina Bay) to pay steep entrance fees, to try to curb problem gambling within the resident population. Despite these measures, some Singaporeans end up in poverty due to overwhelming debt and/or gambling. Illegal loan sharking also remains a problem in Singapore.
Foreign workers, foreign dependents, foreign students, Permanent Residents, and even visiting tourists can also end up in poverty. In practice, and as with most countries, Singapore repatriates impoverished foreigners back to their home countries. Employers must bear repatriation costs in many cases.
Public finance[edit]
Government spending in Singapore has risen since the start of the global financial crisis, from around 15% of GDP in 2008 to 17% in 2012. The government's total expenditure as a percentage of GDP ranks among the lowest internationally and allows for a competitive tax regime.[82][83] Singapore is required under its constitution to keep a balanced budget over each term of government. Singapore government debt is issued for investment purposes, not to fund expenditure.[84][85][86]
Personal income taxes in Singapore range from 0% to 20% for incomes above S$320,000. There are no capital gains or inheritance taxes in Singapore.[87][88] Singapore's corporate tax rate is 17% with exemptions and incentives for smaller businesses. Singapore has a single-tier corporate income tax system, which means there is no double-taxation for shareholders.[89]
Singapore introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) with an initial rate of 3% on 1 April 1994, increasing government's revenue by S$1.6 billion (US$1b, €800m) and establishing government finances.[90] The taxable GST was increased to 4% in 2003, to 5% in 2004, and to 7% in 2007.[91]
The Singapore government owns two investment companies, GIC Private Limited and Temasek Holdings, which manage Singapore's reserves. Both operate as commercial investment holding companies independently of the Singapore government, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching serve as chairman and CEO of these corporations respectively.[92][93][94] While GIC invests abroad, Temasek holds 31% of its portfolio in Singapore, holding majority stakes in several of the nation's largest companies, such as Singapore Airlines, SingTel, ST Engineering and MediaCorp.[59] As of 2014, Temasek holds S$69 billion of assets in Singapore, accounting for 7% of the total capitalisation of Singapore-listed companies.[59][60]
In April 2013, the country was recognised[by whom?] as an increasingly popular tax haven for the wealthy due to the low tax rate on personal income, a full tax exemption on income that is generated outside of Singapore and 69 double taxation treaties[62] that can minimise both withholding tax and capital gains tax. Australian millionaire retailer Brett Blundy, with an estimated personal wealth worth AU$835 million, and multi-billionaire Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin are two examples of wealthy individuals who have settled in Singapore (Blundy in 2013 and Saverin in 2012). Additionally, Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart owns property in Singapore[95] and American investor Jim Rogers moved to Singapore in 2007—Rogers has identified the 21st century as an era in which Asia will dominate and wishes for his two daughters to learn Mandarin as a key outcome of the relocation.[96][97] Chinese Media TV celebrities Jet Li and Gong Li have also taken up naturalised Singapore citizenship.[98][99]
Monetary policy[edit]
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is Singapore's central bank and financial regulatory authority. It administers the various statutes pertaining to money, banking, insurance, securities and the financial sector in general, as well as currency issuance. The MAS has been given powers to act as a banker to and financial agent of the Government. It has also been entrusted to promote monetary stability, and credit and exchange policies conducive to the growth of the economy.
Unlike many other central banks such as Federal Reserve System or Bank of England, MAS does not regulate the monetary system via interest rates to influence the liquidity in the system. Instead, it chooses to do it via the foreign exchange mechanism. It does so by intervening in the SGD market.[100]
Mergers and Acquisitions[edit]
16,156 M&A deals have been conducted in Singapore so far which cumulated to a total value of 850. bil. USD. Since 1985 there has been a constant upward trend, only shortly disrupted in 2002 and 2009[101]. The most active year in terms of numbers (926) and value (78. bil. USD) has been 2017, so there is currently an all time high. In general inbound and outbound deals in Singapore are nearly equaly distributed.
Here is a list of the top 10 deals with Singaporean participation inbound or outbound:
Date Announced Acquiror Name Acquiror Mid Industry Acquiror Nation Target Name Target Mid Industry Target Nation Value of Transaction ($mil)
02/01/2008 Shining Prospect Pte Ltd Other Financials Singapore Rio Tinto PLC Metals & Mining United Kingdom 14,284.17
07/09/2015 Petrol Complex Pte Ltd Oil & Gas Singapore Essar Oil Ltd Oil & Gas India 12,907.25
07/14/2017 Nesta Investment Holdings Ltd Other Financials China Global Logistic Properties Ltd Non Residential Singapore 11,553.58
12/10/2016 QHG Shares Pte Ltd Other Financials Singapore Rosneft Oil Co Oil & Gas Russian Fed 10,776.55
12/10/2007 Government of Singapore Invest Alternative Financial Investments Singapore UBS AG Banks Switzerland 9,760.42
03/26/2001 Singapore Telecommunications Wireless Singapore Cable & Wireless Optus Lt Telecommunications Services Australia 8,491.12
12/01/2014 Investor Group Other Financials Singapore IndCor Properties Inc REITs United States 8,100.00
03/30/2007 Investor Group Other Financials Singapore Alinta Ltd Oil & Gas Australia 7,500.98
09/13/2012 TCC Assets Ltd Other Financials British Virgin Fraser & Neave Ltd Food and Beverage Singapore 6,896.48
01/15/2008 Government of Singapore Invest Alternative Financial Investments Singapore Citigroup Inc Banks United States 6,880.00
Facts & figures[edit]
Percentage of economic growth: 1.7% (2016)[102]
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2016 est.)
Elicity – production by source:
fossil fuel: 95.3%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 3.9% (2014 est.)
Electricity – consumption: 47.5 TWh (2016)
Electricity – exports: 0 kWh (2007)
Electricity – imports: 0 kWh (2007)
Agriculture – products: rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables; poultry, eggs, fish, orchids, ornamental fish
Currency: 1 Singapore dollar (S$ or SGD) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: [103]
Year
Singapore Dollars per US$1
1981 2.0530
1985 2.1213
1990 1.7275
1995 1.4148
2000 1.7361
2005 1.6738
2011 1.2573
2012 1.2498
2013 1.2513
2014 1.2671
2015 1.3748
2016 1.379
International rankings[edit]
Main article: International rankings of Singapore
See also[edit]
Singapore portal
Four Asian Tigers
5 C's of Singapore
Biopolis
Dual economy
Bamboo network
Immigrant workers in Singapore
Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Conference
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b c d "Singapore". International Monetary Fund. April 2018.
Jump up ^ hermesauto (14 February 2018). "Singapore economy expanded 3.6% in 2017; slower growth expected this year".
Jump up ^ "Statistics Singapore - Latest Data". 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
Jump up ^ "Singapore Employment Labour as at June 2015". Department Of Statistics Singapore,. 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Ease of Doing Business in Singapore". Doingbusiness.org. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
^ Jump up to: a b c d "Singapore - WTO Statistics Database". World Trade Organization. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
Jump up ^ "Country Fact Sheets 2016". unctad.org. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
Jump up ^ "Current account (2015 est.)". International Monetary Fund. International Monetary Fund. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Statistics Singapore". Retrieved 2017-09-30.
Jump up ^ "Net international investment position as at Q1 2015". Department Of Statistics Singapore,. 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b "Operating Revenue and Total Expenditure as at 2017 estimate" (PDF). Singapore Budget 2017. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
Jump up ^ "Sovereigns rating list". Standard & Poor's. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
^ Jump up to: a b c Rogers, Simon; Sedghi, Ami (15 April 2011). "How Fitch, Moody's and S&P rate each country's credit rating". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
Jump up ^ Room, Reading. "Official Foreign Reserves". www.mas.gov.sg.
Jump up ^ Central Intelligence Agency (6 August 2012). "CIA – The World Factbook". cia.gov. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
Jump up ^ Ministry of Trade and Industry Singapore. "Free Market System". mti.gov.sg.
Jump up ^ World Economic Forum. "Global Enabling Trade Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2012.
Jump up ^ "Corruption Perceptions Index 2014". Transparency International. Transparency International. 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
Jump up ^ "World Bank Doing Business Report 2012". World Bank.
Jump up ^ "Country Rankings". 2013 Index of Economic Freedom. The Heritage Foundation. 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
Jump up ^ Aun Long, Jek; Danny Tan (June 2010). "The growth of the private wealth management industry in Singapore and Hong Kong" (PDF). Capital Markets Law Journal. 6 (1): 104–126. doi:10.1093/cmlj/kmq022. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Neil Chatterjee; John O'Donnell (14 November 2008). "Wealth management prospers in Singapore". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Wealth Management". UBS. UBS. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Jorn Madslien (6 May 2008). "Singapore water makes global waves". BBC News. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Shim Kim Fah (1990). "Part IV Country Papers (Contd.)". FAO Corporate Document Repository. Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Agrotechnology Parks". Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore. Government of Singapore. 14 November 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Brenda S.A. Yeoh; Weiqiang Lin (April 2012). "Rapid Growth in Singapore's Immigrant Population Brings Policy Challenges". Migration Policy Institute. Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 2015-03-25.
Jump up ^ "WTO Trade Policy Review: Singapore". WTO.
Jump up ^ "Trade (% of GDP)". World Bank.
Jump up ^ "Singapore Ranked Best for Business". InvestAsian. InvestAsian. 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
Jump up ^ "Foreign workforce numbers". Ministry of Manpower Singapore.
Jump up ^ "Gross Domestic Product (US$)". World Bank. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross Domestic Product (S$)". International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (US$)". World Bank. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (S$)". Department of Statistics, Singapore. Archived from the original on 7 August 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross National Income (US$)". World Bank. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Foreign Reserves". Monetary Authority Of Singapore. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Exchange Rates". Department Of Statistics Singapore. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Real Gross Domestic Product (S$), Gross National Income (S$), GNI Per Capita (S$)" (PDF). Department Of Statistics Singapore. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross Domestic Product (US$)". World Bank. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross Domestic Product (S$)". Department of Statistics, Singapore. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "GDP Per Capita (S$ & US$)". Department of Statistics, Singapore. Archived from the original on 7 August 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross National Income (US$)". World Bank. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross National Income (S$)". Department of Statistics, Singapore. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Gross National Income Per Capita (S$ & US$)". Department of Statistics, Singapore. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Foreign Reserves". Monetary Authority Of Singapore. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Exchange Rates". Department of Statistics, Singapore. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "World Development Report 2009". World Bank.
^ Jump up to: a b "Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment" (PDF). Retrieved 4 March 2015.
Jump up ^ Sugimoto, Ichiro (2011). Economic Growth of Singapore in the Twentieth Century. p. 299. ISBN 9814317918.
Jump up ^ "The familiar pattern of Chinese consumption growth". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
Jump up ^ "Wage share of GDP has risen over the decades: Minister for Trade and Industry". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
Jump up ^ Bercuson, Kenneth (1995). Singapore: a Case Study in Rapid Development. p. 5. ISBN 1557754632.
Jump up ^ Driven by Growth: Political Change in the Asia-Pacific Region edited by James W. Morley
Jump up ^ "What comprises the reserves and who manages them?". Singapore Ministry of Finance.
^ Jump up to: a b Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (June 2012). "2012 Investment Climate Statement – Singapore". United States Department of State. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
^ Jump up to: a b c "Portfolio Highlights". Temasek Holdings. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b Statistical Report, March 2014 (Report). Singapore Exchange.
Jump up ^ "The Global Financial Centres Index 21" (PDF). Long Finance. March 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b "Singapore Company Registration and Formation". Healy Consultants. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
Jump up ^ "World Report" (PDF). Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "GlaxoSmithKline Vaccine Manufacturing Facility, Tuas, Singapore". pharmaceutical-technology.com. SPG Media Limited. 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Economic Survey of Singapore 2012" (PDF).
Jump up ^ "Facts and Figures". Singapore Government. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
Jump up ^ "Facts and Figures". Singapore Government. 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
Jump up ^ http://peoplespolicyproject.org/2018/03/09/how-capitalist-is-singapore-really/
Jump up ^ "Top Trading Partners – Total Trade, Exports, Imports". United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-26.
Jump up ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
Jump up ^ Leong, John. "Singapore, Australia conclude discussions on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
Jump up ^ Singapore Company Registration Healy Consultants Retrieved 3 September 2013
Jump up ^ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1234476/1/.html[dead link][dead link]
Jump up ^ "Workfare". Ministry of Manpower. Government of Singapore. 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Special Employment Credit (SEC) Guide". singaporeaccounting.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
Jump up ^ "Aesperon – 2015 Changes To Foreign Worker Levies". Aesperon – BCA CoreTrade & Levy Benefits. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
Jump up ^ "Singapore Economic Development Board – Investing Business in Singapore". Singapore Economic Development Board – Investing Business in Singapore. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
Jump up ^ "Home". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
Jump up ^ "WDA". Retrieved 4 March 2015.
Jump up ^ "Page cannot be found - Ministry of Social and Family Development" (PDF). www.msf.gov.sg.
Jump up ^ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/384172/1/.html[dead link][dead link]
Jump up ^ "Singapore". 2013 Index of Economic Freedom. The Heritage Foundation. 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ http://www.oecd.org/gov/budgeting/40140241.pdf
Jump up ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
Jump up ^ "Singapore Economy 2012 – A Brief Introduction – GuideMeSingapore.com". guidemesingapore.com. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
Jump up ^ "Individuals (For locals)". Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Singapore Personal Income Tax Guide". Guide Me Singapore. Janus Corporate Solutions Pte Ltd. 2008–2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "Singapore Corporate Tax Guide". Guide Me Singapore. Janus Corporate Solutions Pte Ltd. 2008–2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "FY 1996 Budget, Revenue And Tax Changes". Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 1 May 2006.
Jump up ^ "GST rate to rise to 7% from 1 July". Channel NewsAsia. Singapore. 15 February 2007. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
Jump up ^ "What is the relationship between GIC and the Government?". Government of Singapore Investment Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012.
Jump up ^ "Is Temasek a statutory board or a government agency?". Temasek Holdings.
Jump up ^ "Govt's role relating to Temasek Holdings, GIC clarified". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
Jump up ^ Andrew Heathcote (15 April 2013). "Tax havens: Brett Blundy latest to join the Singapore set". Business Review Weekly. Digital Media. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Lauren Lyster (5 February 2013). "Jim Rogers: 4200% Investing Returns Are Still Possible". Yahoo! Finance. Yahoo!, Inc. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Vincent Fernando, CFA (20 August 2010). "Jim Rogers: If You Want Your Family To Be Silly Rich In The Future, Then Leave America And Move To Asia Now". Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Jet Li
Jump up ^ Gong Li
Jump up ^ "Singapore's Exchange Rate-Based Monetary Policy". Monetary Authority of Singapore. Monetary Authority of Singapore. 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ "M&A Statistics - Worldwide, Regions, Industries & Countries". Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA). Retrieved 2018-02-23.
Jump up ^ "The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
Jump up ^ "Exchange Rate (S$/US$)". Department Of Statistics Singapore,. 2015. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
External links[edit]
Library resources about
Economy of Singapore
Resources in your library
Resources in other libraries
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Economy of Singapore.
Statistics Singapore
Singapore Department of Statistics
Monetary Authority of Singapore
[show]
v
t
e
Singapore articles
History
Early history (pre–1819)
Founding of modern Singapore (1819–1826)
Straits Settlements (1826–1942)
Japanese occupation (1942–1945)
British Military Administration (1945–1946)
Post-war Singapore (1946–1955)
Self-governance of Singapore (1955–1962)
Merger with Malaysia (1962–1965)
Republic of Singapore (1965–present)
Geography
Beaches
Conservation
Environmental issues
Geology
Islands
Parks
Reservoirs
Rivers
Urban planning
Urban renewal
Waterways
Wildlife
Politics
Administrative divisions
Constitution
Elections
Foreign relations
Government
Cabinet
Prime Minister
Human rights
Law
Chief Justice
Military
Parliament
Police
Political parties
President
Economy
Economy Statistics
Agriculture
Aviation
Monetary Authority
China–Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park
Dollar (currency)
Energy
Labour
Proposed developments
Singapore Exchange
Telecommunications
Tourism
Transport
Society
Communitarianism
Caning
Crime
Women
Education
Demographics
Eat Frozen Pork
Five Cs
Health
Long hair in Singapore
National Courtesy Campaign
National Day Parade
No U-turn syndrome
OB marker
Population planning
Public housing
Public holidays
Religion
Smoking
Social fund
Water supply and sanitation
Culture
Architecture
Cinema
Cuisine
Languages
Literature
Media
Music
Sports
Wushu in Singapore
Symbols
Anthem
Coat of arms
Flag
Flower
Lion head
Merlion
Pledge
Outline
Index
Bibliography
Category
Portal
[show]
v
t
e
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Nations
Australia
Brunei
Canada
Chile
China
Hong Kong¹
Indonesia
Japan
South Korea
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Russia
Singapore
Taiwan²
Thailand
United States
Vietnam
Summits
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Other
APEC Business Travel Card
APEC blue
APEC Climate Center
APEC Youth Science Festival
1. A special administrative region of China, participates as "Hong Kong, China"; 2. Officially the Republic of China, participates as "Chinese Taipei"
[show]
v
t
e
Economy of Asia
Sovereign states
Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
China
Cyprus
East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Egypt
Georgia
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
North Korea
South Korea
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Malaysia
Maldives
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
Oman
Pakistan
Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Syria
Tajikistan
Thailand
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen
States with
limited recognition
Abkhazia
Artsakh
Northern Cyprus
Palestine
South Ossetia
Taiwan
Dependencies and
other territories
British Indian Ocean Territory
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Hong Kong
Macau
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Economy_of_Singapore&oldid=843181322"
Categories:
World Trade Organization member economies
Economy of Singapore
Hidden categories:
All articles with dead external links
Articles with dead external links from April 2013
Wikipedia pending changes protected pages
EngvarB from July 2014
Use dmy dates from June 2014
All articles with unsourced statements
Articles with unsourced statements from July 2015
Wikipedia articles in need of updating from July 2013
All Wikipedia articles in need of updating
Articles with unsourced statements from April 2013
Articles with unsourced statements from November 2016
Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from May 2013
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Article
Talk
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
In other projects
Wikimedia Commons
Languages
العربية
Asturianu
বাংলা
Bân-lâm-gú
Català
Español
Français
Galego
한국어
हिन्दी
Ido
Bahasa Indonesia
Bahasa Melayu
Монгол
Norsk
Occitan
Português
Română
Русский
Shqip
Suomi
Українська
Tiếng Việt
中文
15 more
Edit links
This page was last edited on 27 May 2018, at 12:43.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Developers
Cookie statement
Mobile view
Enable previews

key: html

type: local

value: div

attrs: id class

values: mw-page-base noprint

values: mw-head-base noprint

value: a

values: Page protected with pending changes level 1

values: All edits by unregistered and new users are subject to review prior to becoming visible to unregistered users

attrs: class id

attrs: id class lang

values: firstHeading firstHeading en

values: siteSub noprint

attrs: class src alt title

values: Changes must be reviewed before being displayed on this page.

attrs: id class src style alt

attrs: id style class

values: flaggedrevs_short flaggedrevs_stable_synced plainlinks noprint nomobile

values: jump-to-nav mw-jump

value: caption

value: td

attrs: colspan style

values: Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation

attrs: alt src title width height srcset data-file-width data-file-height

values: List of countries by GDP per capita (nominal)

values: List of countries by GDP per capita (PPP)

values:
/wiki/Petroleum_refining
mw-redirect
Petroleum refining

values:
/wiki/Ship_repair
mw-redirect
Ship repair

values:
/wiki/Life_sciences
mw-redirect
Life sciences

values:
/wiki/Entrepot_trade
mw-redirect
Entrepot trade

attrs: alt src width height class srcset data-file-width data-file-height

values:
/wiki/Mineral_fuels
mw-redirect
Mineral fuels

values:
/wiki/Consumer_goods
mw-redirect
Consumer goods

values:
/wiki/Fitch_Group
mw-redirect
Fitch Group

values: List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita

values:
/wiki/Government-owned_corporation
mw-redirect
Government-owned corporation

values:
/wiki/Foreign_Direct_Investment
mw-redirect
Foreign Direct Investment

values:
/wiki/Natural_resources
mw-redirect
Natural resources

values:
/wiki/Oil_refining
mw-redirect
Oil refining

values:
/wiki/Trade_to_GDP_ratio
mw-redirect
Trade to GDP ratio

values: List of world's busiest ports by cargo tonnage

values:
/wiki/Conscription_in_Singapore
mw-redirect
Conscription in Singapore

values: border: 1px solid #aaa; background: #f9f9f9; font-size: 88%; line-height: 1.3;

values:
/wiki/Gross_Domestic_Product
mw-redirect
Gross Domestic Product

values:
/wiki/Real_Gross_Domestic_Product
mw-redirect
Real Gross Domestic Product

values:
/wiki/Gross_National_Income
mw-redirect
Gross National Income

values:
/wiki/Foreign_Reserves
mw-redirect
Foreign Reserves

values:
/wiki/Lee_Kuan-Yew
mw-redirect
Lee Kuan-Yew

values: Edit section: State enterprise and investment

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (July 2015)

values:
noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact
white-space:nowrap;

values:
/wiki/Swiss_banks
mw-redirect
Swiss banks

values: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

values: plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Update

values:
/wiki/Bilateral_aid
mw-redirect
Bilateral aid

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2013)

values: Edit section: International trade agreements

values:
headerSort
0
columnheader button
Sort ascending

values: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (page does not exist)

values: Agreement between the EFTA States and Singapore (page does not exist)

values: Agreement between Japan and the Republic of Singapore for a New-Age Economic Partnership (page does not exist)

values: United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement

values: Singapore Jordan Free Trade Agreement (page does not exist)

values: Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement

values: Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement

values: Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (page does not exist)

values: Peru-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (page does not exist)

values: Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (page does not exist)

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (November 2016)

values: Industrial Arbitration Court (page does not exist)

values:
/wiki/Singapore_Government
mw-redirect
Singapore Government

values:
/wiki/Unemployment_benefit
mw-redirect
Unemployment benefit

values: Edit section: Poverty and Wealth Inequality

values: The material near this tag may use weasel words or too-vague attribution. (May 2013)

values: Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch

values: display:table-cell;padding:0.2em 0.2em 0.2em 0.3em;vertical-align:middle

values: margin:0.5em 0 0.5em 1em;border:solid #aaa 1px

values:
/wiki/5_C%27s_of_Singapore
mw-redirect
5 C's of Singapore

values:
/wiki/Immigrant_workers_in_Singapore
mw-redirect
Immigrant workers in Singapore

values: Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Conference

values:
nofollow
external text
//doi.org/10.1093%2Fcmlj%2Fkmq022

values:
nofollow
external text
http://go.worldbank.org/3BLLKPQIV0

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.edb.gov.sg

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.nptd.gov.sg

values:
nofollow
http://www.wda.gov.sg/
external text

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.gic.com.sg/faqs#38

values: -moz-column-width: 30em; -webkit-column-width: 30em; column-width: 30em; list-style-type: decimal;

values:
plainlist
padding:0 0.1em 0.4em;text-align:left;

values: float:right;clear:right;width:auto;margin:0 0 1.0em 1.0em;background:#f9f9f9;border:1px solid #aaa;padding:0.2em;border-spacing:0.4em 0;text-align:center;line-height:1.4em;font-size:88%

values:
nofollow
http://www.singstat.gov.sg/
external text

values:
nofollow
https://www.mti.gov.sg/
external text

values:
nofollow
http://www.mas.gov.sg/
external text

values: British Military Administration (Malaya)

values:
navbox-image
5
width:1px;padding:0px 0px 0px 2px

values:
/wiki/List_of_beaches_of_Singapore
mw-redirect
List of beaches of Singapore

values:
/wiki/Conservation_areas_in_Singapore
mw-redirect
Conservation areas in Singapore

values: List of dams and reservoirs in Singapore

values:
/wiki/Economy_Statistics_of_Singapore
mw-redirect
Economy Statistics of Singapore

values:
/wiki/Holidays_in_Singapore
mw-redirect
Holidays in Singapore

values: Water supply and sanitation in Singapore

values:
/wiki/Literature_of_Singapore
mw-redirect
Literature of Singapore

values: nowraplinks hlist collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values: Template talk:Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

values: APEC Singapore 1990 (page does not exist)

values: APEC Republic of Korea 1991 (page does not exist)

values: APEC Thailand 1992 (page does not exist)

values: APEC United States 1993 (page does not exist)

values: APEC Indonesia 1994 (page does not exist)

values: APEC Malaysia 1998 (page does not exist)

values: APEC New Zealand 1999 (page does not exist)

values:
/wiki/Economy_of_South_Ossetia
mw-redirect
Economy of South Ossetia

values: Economy of the British Indian Ocean Territory

values:
/wiki/Economy_of_Christmas_Island
mw-redirect
Economy of Christmas Island

values: nowraplinks collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values: Category:World Trade Organization member economies

values: Category:All articles with dead external links

values: Category:Articles with dead external links from April 2013

values: Category:Wikipedia pending changes protected pages

values: Category:All articles with unsourced statements

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from July 2015

values: Category:Wikipedia articles in need of updating from July 2013

values: Category:All Wikipedia articles in need of updating

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from April 2013

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from November 2016

values: Category:Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from May 2013

values: Discussion about edits from this IP address [ctrl-alt-n]

values: A list of edits made from this IP address [ctrl-alt-y]

values: You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory

values: You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [ctrl-alt-o]

values:
/wiki/Economy_of_Singapore
View the content page [ctrl-alt-c]
c

values: Discussion about the content page [ctrl-alt-t]

values: p-namespaces navigation vectorTabs p-namespaces-label

values:
p-variants
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-variants-label

values: Past revisions of this page [ctrl-alt-h]

values: p-views navigation vectorTabs p-views-label

values:
p-cactions
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-cactions-label

values:
mw-wiki-logo
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page

values:
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page [ctrl-alt-z]
z

values: Featured content – the best of Wikipedia

values: Find background information on current events

values:
/wiki/Special:Random
Load a random article [ctrl-alt-x]
x

values: portal navigation p-navigation p-navigation-label

values: Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia

values: About the project, what you can do, where to find things

values: A list of recent changes in the wiki [ctrl-alt-r]

values: portal navigation p-interaction p-interaction-label

values: List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [ctrl-alt-j]

values: Recent changes in pages linked from this page [ctrl-alt-k]

values:
/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard
Upload files [ctrl-alt-u]
u

values: A list of all special pages [ctrl-alt-q]

values: اقتصاد سنغافورة – Arabic

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-ast
display: none;

values: সিঙ্গাপুরের অর্থনীতি – Bangla

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-bn
display: none;

values: Sin-ka-pho ê keng-chè – Chinese (Min Nan)

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-zh-min-nan
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-ca
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-gl
display: none;

values: 싱가포르의 경제 – Korean

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-ko
display: none;

values: सिंगापुर की अर्थव्यवस्था – Hindi

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-io
display: none;

values: Сингапурын эдийн засаг – Mongolian

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-mn
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-no
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-oc
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-ro
display: none;

values: Экономика Сингапура – Russian

values: Ekonomia e Shteteve - Singapori – Albanian

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-sq
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-fi
display: none;

values: Економіка Сінгапуру – Ukrainian

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-uk
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-vi
display: none;

values: All languages (initial selection from common choices by you and others)

values: mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-Economy_of_Singapore rootpage-Economy_of_Singapore skin-vector action-view


text:
Twelve Days of Christmas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about the religious period. For the Christmas song, see The Twelve Days of Christmas (song). For the album of Ross O'Carroll-Kelly, see The Twelve Days of Christmas (album).
Twelve days of Christmas
The Adoration of the Magi. Fresco in the Lower Church of the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi in Assisi, Italy
Observed by
Christians
Type
Christian
Observances
Varies by denomination, culture, and nation
Date
25 December – 5 January, inclusive
Frequency
annual
Related to
Christmas Day, Christmastide, Twelfth Night, Epiphany, and Epiphanytide
The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a festive Christian season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus Christ. In most Western ecclesiastical traditions, "Christmas Day" is considered the "First Day of Christmas" and the Twelve Days are 25 December – 5 January, inclusive.[1] For many Christian denominations; for example, the Anglican Communion and Lutheran Church, the Twelve Days are identical to Christmastide,[2][3][4] but for others, e.g., the Roman Catholic Church, "Christmastide" lasts longer than the Twelve Days of Christmas.[5]
Contents
[hide]
1 Eastern Christianity
1.1 Eastern Orthodoxy
2 Western Christianity
2.1 Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages
2.2 England
2.3 Colonial North America
3 Modern Western customs
3.1 United Kingdom and Commonwealth
3.2 United States of America
4 References
Eastern Christianity[edit]
Because the Armenian Apostolic Church and Armenian Catholic Church celebrate the Birth and Baptism of Christ on the same day,[6] they do not have a series of twelve days between a feast of Christmas and a feast of Epiphany.
The Oriental Orthodox, other than the Armenians, the Eastern Orthodox, and the Eastern Catholics who follow the same traditions do have the interval of twelve days between the two feasts. If they use the Julian Calendar, they celebrate Christmas on what is for them 25 December, but is 7 January of the Gregorian Calendar, and they celebrate Epiphany on what is for them 6 January, but is 19 January of the Gregorian Calendar.
Eastern Orthodoxy[edit]
For the Eastern Orthodox, both Christmas and Epiphany are among the Twelve Great Feasts that are only second to Easter in importance.[7]
The period between Christmas and Epiphany is fast-free.[7] During this period one celebration leads into another. The Nativity of Christ is a three-day celebration: the formal title of the first day (i. e. Christmas Eve) is "The Nativity According to the Flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ", and celebrates not only the Nativity of Jesus, but also the Adoration of the Shepherds of Bethlehem and the arrival of the Magi; the second day is referred to as the "Synaxis of the Theotokos", and commemorates the role of the Virgin Mary in the Incarnation; the third day is known as the "Third Day of the Nativity", and is also the feast day of the Protodeacon and Protomartyr Saint Stephen. 29 December is the Orthodox Feast of the Holy Innocents. The Afterfeast of the Nativity (similar to the Western octave) continues until 31 December (that day is known as the Apodosis or "leave-taking" of the Nativity).
Russian icon of the Theophany.
The Saturday following the Nativity is commemorated by special readings from the Epistle (1 Tim 6:11-16) and Gospel (Matt 12:15-21) during the Divine Liturgy. The Sunday after the Nativity has its own liturgical commemoration in honour of "The Righteous Ones: Joseph the Betrothed, David the King and James the Brother of the Lord".
Another of the more prominent festivals that are included among the Twelve Great Feasts is that of the Circumcision of Christ on 1 January.[7] On this same day is the feast day of Saint Basil the Great, and so the service celebrated on that day is the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil.
On 2 January begins the Forefeast of the Theophany. The Eve of the Theophany on 5 January is a day of strict fasting, on which the devout will not eat anything until the first star is seen at night. This day is known as Paramony (Greek Παραμονή "Eve"), and follows the same general outline as Christmas Eve. That morning is the celebration of the Royal Hours and then the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil combined with Vespers, at the conclusion of which is celebrated the Great Blessing of Waters, in commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. There are certain parallels between the hymns chanted on Paramony and those of Good Friday, to show that, according to Orthodox theology, the steps that Jesus took into the Jordan River were the first steps on the way to the Cross. That night the All-Night Vigil is served for the Feast of the Theophany.
Western Christianity[edit]
Within the Twelve Days of Christmas, there are celebrations both secular and religious.
Christmas Day, if it is considered to be part of the Twelve Days of Christmas and not as the day preceding the Twelve Days,[2] is celebrated by Christians as the liturgical feast of the Nativity of the Lord. It is a public holiday in many nations, including some where the majority of the population is not Christian. On this see the articles on Christmas and Christmas traditions.
26 December is "St. Stephen's Day", a feast day in the Western Church. In Great Britain and its former colonies, it is also the secular holiday of Boxing Day. In some parts of Ireland it is denominated "Wren Day".
New Year's Eve on 31 December is the feast of Pope St. Sylvester I and is known also as "Silvester". The transition that evening to the new year is an occasion for secular festivities in many nations, and in several languages is known as "St. Sylvester Night" ("Notte di San Silvestro" in Italian, "Silvesternacht" in German, "Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre" in French, and "סילבסטר" in Hebrew).
New Year's Day on 1 January is an occasion for further secular festivities or for rest from the celebrations of the night before. In the Roman Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, it is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, liturgically celebrated on the Octave Day of Christmas. It has also been celebrated, and still is in some denominations, as the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, because according to Jewish tradition He would have been circumcised on the eighth day after His Birth, inclusively counting the first day and last day. This day, or some day proximate to it, is also celebrated by the Pope and Roman Catholics as World Day of Peace.[8]
In many nations, e. g., the United States, the Solemnity of Epiphany is transferred to the first Sunday after 1 January, which can occur as early as 2 January. That solemnity, then, together with customary observances associated with it, usually occur within the Twelve Days of Christmas, even if these are considered to end on 5 January rather than 6 January.
Other Roman Catholic liturgical feasts on the General Roman Calendar that occur within the Octave of Christmas and therefore also within the Twelve Days of Christmas are the Feast of St. Stephen, Proto-Martyr on 26 December; Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist on 27 December; the Feast of the Holy Innocents on 28 December; Memorial of St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr on 29 December; and the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas or, if there is no such Sunday, on 30 December. Outside the Octave, but within the Twelve Days of Christmas, there are the feast of Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus on 2 January and the Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus on 3 January.
Other saints are celebrated at a local level.
Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages[edit]
The Second Council of Tours of 567 noted that, in the area for which its bishops were responsible, the days between Christmas and Epiphany were, like the month of August, taken up entirely with saints' days. Monks were therefore in principle not bound to fast on those days.[9] However, the first three days of the year were to be days of prayer and penance so that faithful Christians would refrain from participating in the idolatrous practices and debauchery associated with the new year celebrations. The Fourth Council of Toledo (633) ordered a strict fast on those days, on the model of the Lenten fast.[10][11]
England[edit]
Twelfth Night (The King Drinks) by David Teniers c. 1634-1640
In England in the Middle Ages, this period was one of continuous feasting and merrymaking, which climaxed on Twelfth Night, the traditional end of the Christmas season. In Tudor England, Twelfth Night itself was forever solidified in popular culture when William Shakespeare used it as the setting for one of his most famous stage plays, titled Twelfth Night. Often a Lord of Misrule was chosen to lead the Christmas revels.[12]
Some of these traditions were adapted from the older pagan customs, including the Roman Saturnalia and the Germanic Yuletide.[13] Some also have an echo in modern-day pantomime where traditionally authority is mocked and the principal male lead is played by a woman, while the leading older female character, or 'Dame', is played by a man.
Colonial North America[edit]
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The early North American colonists brought their version of the Twelve Days over from England, and adapted them to their new country, adding their own variations over the years. For example, the modern-day Christmas wreath may have originated with these colonials.[14][15] A homemade wreath would be fashioned from local greenery and fruits, if available, were added. Making the wreaths was one of the traditions of Christmas Eve; they would remain hung on each home's front door beginning on Christmas Night (1st night of Christmas) through Twelfth Night or Epiphany morning. As was already the tradition in their native England, all decorations would be taken down by Epiphany morning and the remainder of the edibles would be consumed. A special cake, the king cake, was also baked then for Epiphany.
Modern Western customs[edit]
United Kingdom and Commonwealth[edit]
Many in the UK and other Commonwealth nations still celebrate some aspects of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Boxing Day, 26 December, is a national holiday in many Commonwealth nations. Victorian era stories by Charles Dickens, and others, particularly A Christmas Carol, hold key elements of the celebrations such as the consumption of plum pudding, roasted goose and wassail. These foods are consumed more at the beginning of the Twelve Days in the UK.
Twelfth Night is the last day for decorations to be taken down, and it is held to be bad luck to leave decorations up after this.[16] This is in contrast to the custom in Elizabethan England, when decorations were left up until Candlemas; this is still done in some other Western European countries such as Germany.
United States of America[edit]
Twelfth Night costumers in New Orleans
In the United States, Christmas Day is a holiday for Christians and for some non-Christians.[17]
The traditions of the Twelve Days of Christmas have been nearly forgotten in the United States. Contributing factors include the popularity of the stories of Charles Dickens in nineteenth-century America, with their emphasis on generous giving; introduction of secular traditions in the 19th and 20th centuries, e. g., the American Santa Claus; and increase in the popularity of secular New Year's Eve parties. Presently, the commercial practice treats the Solemnity of Christmas, 25 December, the first day of Christmas, as the last day of the "Christmas" marketing season, as the numerous "after-Christmas sales" that commence on 26 December demonstrate. The commercial calendar encourages the error that the Twelve Days of Christmas terminate on Christmas Day and therefore begin on 14 December.[18]
Many American Christians still celebrate the traditional liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas, especially Amish, Anglo-Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Mennonites, Methodists, Moravians, Orthodox Christians, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics. In Anglicanism, the designation of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" is used liturgically in the Episcopal Church in the US, having its own invitatory antiphon in the Book of Common Prayer for Matins.[3]
Christians who celebrate the Twelve Days may give gifts on each of them, with each of the Twelve Days representing a wish for a corresponding month of the new year. They may feast on traditional foods and otherwise celebrate the entire time through the morning of the Solemnity of Epiphany. Contemporary traditions include lighting a candle for each day, singing the verse of the corresponding day from the famous The Twelve Days of Christmas, and lighting a yule log on Christmas Eve and letting it burn some more on each of the twelve nights. For some, the Twelfth Night remains the night of the most festive parties and exchanges of gifts. Some households exchange gifts on the first (25 December) and last (5 January) days of the Twelve Days. As in former times, the Twelfth Night to the morning of Epiphany is the traditional time during which Christmas trees and decorations are deposed.
References[edit]
Jump up ^ Hatch, Jane M. (1978). The American Book of Days. Wilson. ISBN 9780824205935. January 5th: Twelfth Night or Epiphany Eve. Twelfth Night, the last evening of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, has been observed with festive celebration ever since the Middle Ages.
^ Jump up to: a b Bratcher, Dennis (10 October 2014). "The Christmas Season". Christian Resource Institute. Retrieved 20 December 2014. The Twelve Days of Christmas ... in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26[th] and include Epiphany on January 6[th].
^ Jump up to: a b "The Book of Common Prayer" (PDF). New York: Church Publishing Incorporated. January 2007. p. 43. Retrieved 24 December 2014. On the Twelve Days of Christmas Alleluia. Unto us a child is born: O come, let us adore Him. Alleluia.
Jump up ^ Truscott, Jeffrey A. Worship. Armour Publishing. p. 103. ISBN 9789814305419. As with the Easter cycle, churches today celebrate the Christmas cycle in different ways. Practically all Protestants observe Christmas itself, with services on 25 December or the evening before. Anglicans, Lutherans and other churches that use the ecumenical Revised Common Lectionary will likely observe the four Sundays of Advent, maintaining the ancient emphasis on the eschatological (First Sunday), ascetic (Second and Third Sundays), and scriptural/historical (Fourth Sunday). Besides Christmas Eve/Day, they will observe a 12-day season of Christmas from 25 December to 5 January.
Jump up ^ Bl. Pope Paul VI, Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year, #33 (14 February 1969)
Jump up ^ Kelly, Joseph F (2010). Joseph F. Kelly, The Feast of Christmas (Liturgical Press 2010 ISBN 978-0-81463932-0). ISBN 9780814639320.
^ Jump up to: a b c Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Church
Jump up ^ United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, "World Day of Peace"
Jump up ^ Jean Hardouin; Philippe Labbé; Gabriel Cossart (1714). "Christmas". Acta Conciliorum et Epistolae Decretales (in Latin). Typographia Regia, Paris. Retrieved 16 December 2014. De Decembri usque ad natale Domini, omni die ieiunent. Et quia inter natale Domini et epiphania omni die festivitates sunt, itemque prandebunt. Excipitur triduum illud, quo ad calcandam gentilium consuetudinem, patres nostri statuerunt privatas in Kalendariis Ianuarii fieri litanias, ut in ecclesiis psallatur, et hora octava in ipsis Kalendis Circumcisionis missa Deo propitio celebretur. (Translation: "In December until Christmas, they are to fast each day. Since between Christmas and Epiphany there are feasts on each day, they shall have a full meal, except during the three-day period on which, in order to tread Gentile customs down, our fathers established that private litanies for the Calends of January be chanted in the churches, and that on the Calends itself Mass of the Circumcision be celebrated at the eighth hour for God's favour.")
Jump up ^ Christopher Labadie, "The Octave Day of Christmas: Historical Development and Modern Liturgical Practice" in Obsculta, vol. 7, issue 1, art. 8, p. 89
Jump up ^ Adolf Adam, The Liturgical Year (Liturgical Press 1990 ISBN 978-0-81466047-8), p. 139
Jump up ^ Frazer, James (1922). The Golden Bough. New York: McMillan. ISBN 1-58734-083-6. Bartleby.com
Jump up ^ Count, Earl (1997). 4,000 Years of Christmas. Ulysses Press. ISBN 1-56975-087-4.
Jump up ^ New York Times, 27 December 1852: a report of holiday events mentions 'a splendid wreath' as being among the prizes won.
Jump up ^ In 1953 a correspondence in the letter pages of The Times discussed whether Christmas wreaths were an alien importation or a version of the native evergreen 'bunch'/'bough'/'garland'/'wassail bush' traditionally displayed in England at Christmas. One correspondent described those she had seen placed on doors in country districts as either a plain bunch, a shape like a torque or open circle, and occasionally a more elaborate shape like a bell or interlaced circles. She felt the use of the words 'Christmas wreath' had 'funereal associations' for English people who would prefer to describe it as a 'garland'. An advertisement in The Times of Friday, 26 December 1862; pg. 1; Issue 24439; col A, however, refers to an entertainment at Crystal Palace featuring 'Extraordinary decorations, wreaths of evergreens ...', and in 1896 the special Christmas edition of The Girl's Own Paper was titled 'Our Christmas Wreath':The Times Saturday, 19 December 1896; pg. 4; Issue 35078; col C. There is a custom of decorating graves at Christmas with somber wreaths of evergreen, which is still observed in parts of England, and this may have militated against the circle being the accepted shape for door decorations until the re-establishment of the tradition from America in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Jump up ^ "Epiphany in United Kingdom". timeanddate.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
Jump up ^ Sirvaitis, Karen (1 August 2010). The European American Experience. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 52. ISBN 9780761340881. Christmas is a major holiday for Christians, although some non-Christians in the United States also mark the day as a holiday.
Jump up ^ HumorMatters.com Twelve Days of Christmas (reprint of a magazine article). Retrieved 3 January 2011.
"Christmas". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22 December 2005. Primarily subhead Popular Merrymaking under Liturgy and Custom.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas". Catholic Culture. Retrieved 22 January 2012. Primarily subhead 12 Days of Christmas under Catholic and Culture.
Bowler, Gerald (2000). The World Encyclopedia of Christmas. Toronto: M&S. ISBN 978-0-7710-1531-1. OCLC 44154451.
Caulkins, Mary; Jennie Miller Helderman (2002). Christmas Trivia: 200 Fun & Fascinating Facts About Christmas. New York: Gramercy. ISBN 978-0-517-22070-2. OCLC 49627774.
Collins, Ace; Clint Hansen (2003). Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan. ISBN 978-0-310-24880-4. OCLC 52311813.
Evans, Martin Marix (2002). The Twelve Days of Christmas. White Plains, New York: Peter Pauper Press. ISBN 978-0-88088-776-2. OCLC 57044650.
Wells, Robin Headlam (2005). Shakespeare's Humanism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-82438-5. OCLC 62132881.
Hoh, John L., Jr. (2001). The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Carol Catechism. Vancouver: Suite 101 eBooks.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christmastide.
Look up Twelve Days of Christmas in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
[show]
v
t
e
Christmas
Christmas Eve
Children's Day
Boxing Day
Nochebuena
Saint Nicholas Day
St. Stephen's Day
Sol Invictus
Yule
In
Christianity
Biblical Magi
Adoration of the Magi
Adoration of the Shepherds
Advent
Angel Gabriel
Annunciation
Annunciation to the shepherds
Baptism of the Lord
Bethlehem
Christingle
Christmastide
Epiphany
Herod the Great
Jesus
Joseph
Mary
Massacre of the Innocents
flight into Egypt
Nativity Fast
Nativity of Jesus
in art
in later culture
Nativity scene
Saint Nicholas
Star of Bethlehem
Twelfth Night
In folklore
Badalisc
La Befana
Belsnickel
Caganer
Christkind
Ded Moroz
Elves
Father Christmas
Grýla
Jack Frost
Joulupukki
Knecht Ruprecht
Korvatunturi
Krampus
Mikulás
Miner's figure
Mrs. Claus
Nisse/Tomte
North Pole
Old Man Winter
Olentzero
Père Fouettard
Père Noël
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Saint Lucy
Santa's reindeer
Santa's workshop
Sinterklaas
Tió de Nadal
Vertep
Yule Cat
Yule Lads
Zwarte Piet
Gift-bringers
Saint Nicholas
Santa Claus
List of Christmas gift-bringers by country
Traditions
Advent calendar
Advent candle
Advent wreath
Boar's Head Feast
Candle arches
Cards
Carols by Candlelight
Cavalcade of Magi
Crackers
Decorations
Events and celebrations
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Flying Santa
Google Santa Tracker
Hampers
Las Posadas
Letters
Lights
Lord of Misrule
Markets
Meals and feasts
Moravian star
Nine Lessons and Carols
NORAD Tracks Santa
Nutcrackers
dolls
Ornaments
Parades
list
Piñatas
Pyramids
Räuchermann
Seals
Secret Santa
Spanbaum
Stamps
Stockings
Tree
Twelve Days
Wassailing
Windows
Yule Goat
Yule log
By country
Australia and New Zealand
Denmark
Germany
Hawaii
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Mexico
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Russia
Scotland
Serbia
Sweden
Ukraine
Music
Carols
list
Hit singles UK
Hit singles US
Music books
Carols for Choirs
The Oxford Book of Carols
The New Oxford Book of Carols
Piae Cantiones
Other media
Films
Poetry
"Old Santeclaus with Much Delight"
"A Visit from St. Nicholas"
Television
specials
Yule Log
In
modern
society
Advent Conspiracy
Black Friday (partying)
Black Friday (shopping)
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
Christmas club
Christmas creep
Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004
Christmas Lectures
Christmas Mountains
Christmas truce
Controversies
Cyber Monday
Economics
Giving Tuesday
El Gordo
Holiday season
In July
In August
Leon Day
NBA games
NFL games
Puritan New England
American Civil War
Post-War United States
Running of the Santas
SantaCon
Santa's Candy Castle
Small Business Saturday
Super Saturday
Virginia O'Hanlon
White Christmas
Winter festivals
WWE Tribute to the Troops
Xmas
Food and
drink
Dinner
Joulupöytä
Julebord
Kūčios
Réveillon
Twelve-dish supper
Smörgåsbord
Wigilia
Sweets
bûche de Noël
Cake
Candy cane
Cookies
Fruitcake
Gingerbread
Kourabiedes
Melomakarono
Mince pie
Pavlova
Pecan pie
Pumpkin pie
Pudding
Rosca de reyes
Szaloncukor
Turrón
Soup
Menudo
Sauce
Cranberry sauce
Beverages
Apple cider
Champurrado
Eggnog
Mulled wine
Smoking Bishop
Ponche crema
Dumpling
Hallaca
Tamale
Meat
Ham
Roast goose
Romeritos
Turkey
Stuffing
Category
Portal
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Twelve_Days_of_Christmas&oldid=819365901"
Categories:
Christmastide
December observances
Eastern Orthodox liturgical days
January observances
Hidden categories:
CS1 Latin-language sources (la)
Use dmy dates from December 2016
Infobox holiday with missing field
Infobox holiday (other)
Articles needing additional references from December 2016
All articles needing additional references
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Article
Talk
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
In other projects
Wikimedia Commons
Languages
Brezhoneg
Deutsch
Ελληνικά
Italiano
日本語
Русский
Simple English
Українська
Edit links
This page was last edited on 8 January 2018, at 23:55.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Developers
Cookie statement
Mobile view
Enable previews

values: mw-page-base noprint

values: mw-head-base noprint

values: firstHeading firstHeading en

values: siteSub noprint

values: jump-to-nav mw-jump

attrs: href title

attrs: role class

values:
note
hatnote navigation-not-searchable

value: th

attrs: colspan class style

value: tr

value: img

attrs: alt src width height srcset data-file-width data-file-height

attrs: href class

attrs: href class title

values:
/wiki/Adoration_of_the_Magi_in_art
mw-redirect
Adoration of the Magi in art

value: i

values:
/wiki/Epiphany_(Christian)
mw-redirect
Epiphany (Christian)

values:
/wiki/Christmas_Day
mw-redirect
Christmas Day

values:
/wiki/Christian_denominations
mw-redirect
Christian denominations

values:
/wiki/Lutheran_Church
mw-redirect
Lutheran Church

values:
/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church
mw-redirect
Roman Catholic Church

values:
/wiki/Oriental_Orthodox
mw-redirect
Oriental Orthodox

values:
/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox
mw-redirect
Eastern Orthodox

values:
/wiki/Eastern_Catholics
mw-redirect
Eastern Catholics

values:
/wiki/Julian_Calendar
mw-redirect
Julian Calendar

values:
/wiki/Gregorian_Calendar
mw-redirect
Gregorian Calendar

values:
/wiki/Eastern_Orthodoxy
mw-redirect
Eastern Orthodoxy

values:
/wiki/Great_Feast
mw-redirect
Great Feast

values:
/wiki/Virgin_Mary
mw-redirect
Virgin Mary

values:
/wiki/Holy_Innocents
mw-redirect
Holy Innocents

values:
/wiki/Russian_icon
mw-redirect
Russian icon

values:
/wiki/James_the_Brother_of_the_Lord
mw-redirect
James the Brother of the Lord

values:
/wiki/Saint_Basil_the_Great
mw-redirect
Saint Basil the Great

values:
/wiki/Great_Blessing_of_Waters
mw-redirect
Great Blessing of Waters

values:
/wiki/Orthodox_theology
mw-redirect
Orthodox theology

values:
/wiki/All-Night_Vigil
mw-redirect
All-Night Vigil

values:
/wiki/Nativity_of_the_Lord
mw-redirect
Nativity of the Lord

values:
/wiki/St._Stephen%27s_Day
mw-redirect
St. Stephen's Day

values:
/wiki/Western_Church
mw-redirect
Western Church

values:
/wiki/Octave_(liturgical)
mw-redirect
Octave (liturgical)

values:
/wiki/St._Stephen
mw-redirect
St. Stephen

values:
/wiki/Feast_of_the_Holy_Family
mw-redirect
Feast of the Holy Family

values:
/wiki/Basil_the_Great
mw-redirect
Basil the Great

values: Edit section: Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages

values: Help:Introduction to referencing with Wiki Markup/1

values: plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Refimprove

values: Edit section: United Kingdom and Commonwealth

values:
/wiki/Plum_pudding
mw-redirect
Plum pudding

values: Episcopal Church in the United States of America

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.crivoice.org/cyxmas.html

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.bartleby.com/196/145.html

values: -moz-column-width: 30em; -webkit-column-width: 30em; column-width: 30em; list-style-type: decimal;

values:
nofollow
external text
//www.worldcat.org/oclc/44154451

values:
nofollow
external text
//www.worldcat.org/oclc/49627774

values:
nofollow
external text
//www.worldcat.org/oclc/52311813

values:
nofollow
external text
//www.worldcat.org/oclc/57044650

values:
nofollow
external text
//www.worldcat.org/oclc/62132881

values:
/wiki/Old_Man_Winter
mw-redirect
Old Man Winter

values: List of Christmas and winter gift-bringers by country

values: Category:Christmas events and celebrations

values: List of Christmas and holiday season parades

values:
/wiki/Christmas_in_Denmark
mw-redirect
Christmas in Denmark

values: List of Christmas hit singles in the United Kingdom

values: List of popular Christmas singles in the United States

values:
/wiki/Leon_Day_(holiday)
mw-redirect
Leon Day (holiday)

values: National Basketball Association Christmas games

values: National Football League Christmas games

values: List of multinational festivals and holidays

values: nowraplinks hlist collapsible collapsed navbox-inner

values: Category:Eastern Orthodox liturgical days

values: Category:CS1 Latin-language sources (la)

values: Category:Use dmy dates from December 2016

values: Category:Infobox holiday with missing field

values: Category:Articles needing additional references from December 2016

values: Category:All articles needing additional references

values: Discussion about edits from this IP address [ctrl-alt-n]

values: A list of edits made from this IP address [ctrl-alt-y]

values: You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory

values: You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [ctrl-alt-o]

values:
/wiki/Twelve_Days_of_Christmas
View the content page [ctrl-alt-c]
c

values: Discussion about the content page [ctrl-alt-t]

values: p-namespaces navigation vectorTabs p-namespaces-label

values:
p-variants
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-variants-label

values: Past revisions of this page [ctrl-alt-h]

values: p-views navigation vectorTabs p-views-label

values:
p-cactions
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-cactions-label

values:
mw-wiki-logo
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page

values:
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page [ctrl-alt-z]
z

values: Featured content – the best of Wikipedia

values: Find background information on current events

values:
/wiki/Special:Random
Load a random article [ctrl-alt-x]
x

values: portal navigation p-navigation p-navigation-label

values: Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia

values: About the project, what you can do, where to find things

values: A list of recent changes in the wiki [ctrl-alt-r]

values: portal navigation p-interaction p-interaction-label

values: List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [ctrl-alt-j]

values: Recent changes in pages linked from this page [ctrl-alt-k]

values:
/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard
Upload files [ctrl-alt-u]
u

values: A list of all special pages [ctrl-alt-q]

values: Permanent link to this revision of the page

values: Link to connected data repository item [ctrl-alt-g]

values: Printable version of this page [ctrl-alt-p]

values: portal navigation p-wikibase-otherprojects p-wikibase-otherprojects-label

values: Δωδεκαήμερο – Greek

values: Рождественские Святки – Russian

values: The Twelve Days of Christmas – Simple English

values: Дванадцять днів Різдва – Ukrainian

values: /static/images/wikimedia-button-1.5x.png 1.5x, /static/images/wikimedia-button-2x.png 2x

values: /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_132x47.png 1.5x, /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_176x62.png 2x

values:
suggestions
display: none; font-size: 13px;

values: mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-Twelve_Days_of_Christmas rootpage-Twelve_Days_of_Christmas skin-vector action-view