Singapore · Regional expansion
Work Permits drove most of Singapore's foreign workforce growth
Singapore recorded 1.66 million foreign workers in June 2026. Work Permit holders accounted for about three-quarters, and their number rose by 393,900 from December 2021.
Sources checked
Work Permit
Shared scale · 0 workers to 1,243,600 workers
Employment Pass
Shared scale · 0 workers to 1,243,600 workers
S Pass
Shared scale · 0 workers to 1,243,600 workers
Other passes
Shared scale · 0 workers to 1,243,600 workers
Select the pass categories and compare the six ministry snapshots.
Work Permit holders explain most of the increase
The total grew by 455,500 between December 2021 and June 2026, based on the rounded ministry counts. Work Permit holders rose by 393,900, roughly 86% of the overall increase. The size of the Work Permit category increased from 849,700 to 1.24 million. Source 1
Two large Work Permit groups grew
Migrant domestic worker permits reached 323,800. The combined construction, marine shipyard and process category reached 490,700, up from 318,500 in December 2021. Together they accounted for almost two-thirds of June 2026 Work Permit holders. Source 1
Employment Pass and S Pass counts were steadier
The Employment Pass total reached 205,400 in December 2023 and stood at 204,300 in June 2026. The S Pass count ranged from 177,300 to 178,900 after December 2022. These counts reflect people in each pass category at the dates shown. Source 1
The quarterly movement uses a different time window
A parliamentary reply reported that Work Permit holders excluding migrant domestic workers increased by 10,900 in the second quarter of 2026. Employment Pass and S Pass employment each fell by 900 over that quarter. The table's latest comparison spans December to June, six months instead of three. Source 1 Source 2