Key Takeaways
- The Government estimates a PR intake of about 40,000 a year over the next five years, compared with about 35,000 PRs granted in 2025.
- It expects to take in 25,000 to 30,000 new citizens a year over the same period, compared with around 25,000 citizenships granted in 2025.
- The Government says actual numbers will be adjusted year by year.
- National intake is not the same as an individual's chance of approval. ICA still assesses each application on its own merits.
What Was Announced
At the Committee of Supply Debate on 26 February 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said:
- Singapore granted around 25,000 citizenships in 2025.
- The Government expects to take in between 25,000 and 30,000 new citizens annually over the next five years, depending on demographic trends including the TFR.
- The PR population has remained stable over the past few years, at around 540,000.
- The Government estimates an intake of about 40,000 PRs annually in the next five years, slightly higher than the 35,000 PRs granted in 2025.
- The actual number will be adjusted year by year, depending on TFR trends, other demographic factors, and the number and suitability of applicants, as well as infrastructure and society's capacity.
Source: Speech by DPM Gan Kim Yong, Committee of Supply Debate 2026
For comparison, Population in Brief 2025 reports that 35,264 individuals were granted PR and 22,766 were granted citizenship in 2024 (full calendar year, data from ICA).
Why the Government Says It Is Doing This
In the same speech, DPM Gan set out the demographic context. He said that:
- Singapore had around 27,500 resident births in 2025, the lowest in its recorded history.
- The preliminary resident total fertility rate (TFR) for 2025 is 0.87, down from 0.97 in 2024.
- If no new measures are taken, the citizen population will start to shrink by the early part of the 2040s.
- Even while supporting Singaporeans to start families, Singapore will "still need a carefully managed immigration flow to augment our low birth rate".
Aggregate Intake vs. Your Individual Application
These are two different things:
- Aggregate national intake is the total number of people the Government expects to grant PR or citizenship across a year.
- ICA's assessment of an individual PR application looks at that applicant's own circumstances. ICA says it considers factors such as family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency (ICA).
An increase in the national PR intake does not mean an individual applicant has better approval odds. The Government has also said numbers will depend on the number and suitability of applicants. We cannot tell how many people will apply, so we do not predict whether individual applications will become easier or harder.
EasyPR Perspective: What This Means for Applicants
The announcement is useful context, but it is not a reason in itself to apply earlier or later. In our view, applicants are better served by checking that they are eligible, preparing complete and accurate documents, and presenting the information ICA says it considers. The announcement does not change who can apply or how ICA assesses applications.
Useful next steps:
- Check who can apply for Singapore PR.
- Read how to apply for Singapore PR.
- See what official figures do and do not show in our PR approval rate analysis.
- For the overall journey, read the Singapore PR Guide 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Singapore increasing its PR intake?
Yes. On 26 February 2026, DPM Gan Kim Yong said the Government estimates an intake of about 40,000 PRs annually in the next five years, slightly higher than the about 35,000 PRs granted in 2025.
Is this a PR quota?
The Government describes these figures as an estimated intake that will be adjusted year by year, not as a quota. EasyPR uses the Government's term, intake.
Does a higher intake mean my PR application is more likely to be approved?
Not necessarily. The intake is a national, aggregate figure. ICA assesses each individual application on its own merits, and a higher national intake does not tell you how your application will be decided.
How many new citizens does Singapore plan to take in?
DPM Gan said Singapore granted around 25,000 citizenships in 2025 and expects to take in between 25,000 and 30,000 new citizens annually over the next five years, depending on demographic trends including the TFR.
Official Sources
- Speech by DPM Gan Kim Yong, Committee of Supply Debate 2026 (26 Feb 2026)
- Population in Brief 2025 (NPTD) — 2024 PR and citizenship grants
- ICA — Apply for PR (assessment factors)
About EasyPR
This article was prepared by the EasyPR Research Team. EasyPR is an independent Singapore PR consultancy. We review official ICA guidance, government announcements and population reports to explain the PR process in plain language.
EasyPR is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or any Singapore Government agency. You can apply for PR directly with ICA yourself; using EasyPR is optional, and EasyPR cannot influence or speed up ICA's decisions. Sections marked "Official ICA information" summarise government sources; sections marked "EasyPR guidance" or "EasyPR analysis" are our own view. All PR decisions are made solely by ICA, and no one can guarantee approval.