Overview
Singapore was founded in 1819 as a free British port, and like many Southeast Asian countries with colonial past has a multicultural society (Lian 2016). Singapore’s colonial history saw ethnic tensions arising from British policies of segregation and hierarchy which divided the diverse communities on the island. Its ethnic composition is divided among Chinese 74.3%, Malay 13.5%, Indian 9%, other 3.2% (2018 est.: Encyclopaedia Britannica 2023). In 1963, Singapore became a member of the Malaysian Federation, but was expelled two years later, becoming an independent republic in 1965 (CIA Factbook 2021).
Since 1965, the Singaporean government pursues a comprehensive practice of multiculturalism in its policies, which includes bilingual education, management of religious matters, and electoral representation. In addition, race-based self-help and welfare organisations provide ethnic quotas in public housing and food centres, and services targeting disadvantaged members in the areas of education, representation, and religious freedom. (Lian 2016). However, the absence of political opposition and a strong civil society in Singapore has limited debates over what form of multiculturalism should take place in the country (Lian 2016). There is no clear commitment in part of the Singaporean government to integrate migrants within the society.
Intercultural Dialogue Index (ICDI) Score
| Component | Score |
| Legislative Dimension | 0.47 |
| Multiculturalism | 0.26 |
| Anti-Discrimination | 0.67 |
| Structural Dimension | 0.55 |
| Social Contact | 0.03 |
| Fractionalisation | 0.52 |
| Inequality | 0.84 |
| Access to communication | 0.55 |
| Cohesion and Stability | 0.79 |
| Opportunities Dimension | 0.55 |
| Attitudes | 0.66 |
| Inclusion | 0.55 |
| Freedoms and Rights | 0.43 |
| ICDI Score | 0.52 |
Summary
Singapore has attained an overall ICDI score of 0.52. Scores above 0.6 in the component of intercultural attitudes indicates a positive environment for the promotion of intergroup relations. A moderate score of above 0.6 in the component of anti-discrimination signals an adequate emphasis on anti-discrimination laws and related initiatives at a national level. Similarly, a score of below 0.5 in the component of freedoms and rights indicates low levels of freedom in relation to domestic and foreign movement and travel. Singapore’s more positive performance relates to its socio-economic equality. In sharp contrast, a score of 0.03 in the component of social contact reveals low levels of intercultural participation and the erosion of Indigenous and immigrant living languages. In a similar vein, a score of 0.55 in the component of access to communication reflects that the facilitation of intergroup contact and shared access to media and communication is limited.
Current situation and outlook
Compared to its average situations in relation to its legislative and opportunities dimensions, Singapore has attained lower scores in multiple components of its structural dimensions. The scores below average are related to the components of multiculturalism, social contact and freedom. Singapore could improve its ICDI score by strengthening its legislative dimension with robust acts and policies which support multiculturalism and diversity and improving its migrant integration measures. It could improve its socio-political position through the expansion of freedoms and democratic rights to all citizens. Singapore could also promote avenues for engaging cultural participation and facilitate a wider range of newspapers to be published to promote access to communication. If the current situations around the three dimensions persist, there is a likelihood of deepening fractures between different ethnic communities.