Population Movement in the Asia Pacific Region: Singapore Perspective

Abstract

Inequalities in wages and incomes, accompanied by flows of trade, capital and technology and the phenomenon of globalization, may be some reasons for the significant movement of people in the Asia Pacific region. Changes in topologies, magnitude, composition and the direction of such movement of people have been identified in the literature. This article takes these trends into the context of Singapore as both an importer and exporter of labor. Of significance is its regionalization policy which allows it to export its capital to tap the land and labor resources as well as markets of emerging economies in Asia. In this respect, its policy to train foreign workers as is similarly done in South Korea to upgrade skills and technology transfer may initiate a new outlook toward movement of people. In contrast to the traditional view that population movement is disruptive and threatening to both recipient and sending countries, it may be viewed more positively and as contributing to economic growth and development.