Singapore
- Abstract
- Summary
- Comparative Statistical Analysis
- Strengths and Weakness
- Instruments ratifications
- Historical Data
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Wikipedia Country Information
Singapore ( (listen)), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude (137 kilometres or 85 miles) north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Strait of Malacca to the west, the Singapore Strait to the south, the South China Sea to the east and the Straits of Johor to the north. The country's territory is composed of one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet, the combined area of which has increased by 25% since the country's independence as a result of extensive land reclamation projects. It has the third highest population density in the world. With a multicultural population and recognising the need to respect cultural identities of the major ethnic groups within the nation, Singapore has four official languages; English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is the lingua franca and numerous public services are available only in English. Multiracialism is enshrined in the constitution and continues to shape national policies in education, housing, and politics.
Singapore's history dates back at least a millennium, having been a maritime emporium known as Temasek and subsequently as a major constituent part of several successive thalassocratic empires. Its contemporary era began in 1819 when Stamford Raffles established Singapore as an entrepôt trading post of the British Empire. In 1867, the colonies in Southeast Asia were reorganised and Singapore came under the direct control of Britain as part of the Straits Settlements. During the Second World War, Singapore was occupied by Japan in 1942, and returned to British control as a separate crown colony following Japan's surrender in 1945. Singapore gained self-governance in 1959 and in 1963 became part of the new federation of Malaysia, alongside Malaya, North Borneo, and Sarawak. Ideological differences, most notably the perceived encroachment of the egalitarian "Malaysian Malaysia" political ideology led by Lee Kuan Yew into the other constituent entities of Malaysia – at the perceived expense of the bumiputera and the policies of Ketuanan Melayu – eventually led to Singapore's expulsion from the federation two years later; Singapore became an independent sovereign country in 1965.
After early years of turbulence whilst lacking natural resources and a hinterland, the nation rapidly developed to become one of the Four Asian Tigers based on international trade and economic globalisation, integrating itself within the world economy through free trade with minimal to no trade barriers or tariffs, export-oriented industrialisation, and the large accumulation of received foreign direct investment, foreign-exchange reserves and assets held by sovereign wealth funds. A highly developed country, it is ranked joint-eleventh on the UN Human Development Index and has the second-highest GDP per capita (PPP) in the world. Identified as a tax haven, Singapore is the only country in Asia with a AAA sovereign credit rating from all major rating agencies. It is a major financial, maritime shipping and aviation hub, and has consistently been ranked as one of the most expensive cities to live in for expatriates and foreign workers. Singapore is placed highly in key social indicators: education, healthcare, quality of life, personal safety, infrastructure and housing, with a home-ownership rate of 88 percent. Singaporeans enjoy one of the longest life expectancies, fastest Internet connection speeds, lowest infant mortality rates and lowest levels of corruption in the world. The country has a retentionist stance for capital punishment, one of four in the developed world along with Japan, the United States and Taiwan. Singapore's use of capital punishment for drug trafficking is a source of contention with non-governmental organisations.
Singapore is a unitary parliamentary republic with a Westminster system of unicameral parliamentary government, and its legal system is based on common law. While elections are free, the government under the People's Action Party (PAP) wields significant control and dominance over politics and society, with limits on assembly, association, expression and the press except for the Speakers' Corner; the PAP having ruled continuously since full internal self-government was achieved in 1959, with 83 out of 104 seats in Parliament as of the 2020 election, the rest of the elected seats being held by the Workers' Party (WP). One of the five founding members of ASEAN, Singapore is also the headquarters of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) Secretariat, and is the host city of many international conferences and events. Singapore is also a member of the United Nations, World Trade Organization, East Asia Summit, Non-Aligned Movement, and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Instruments ratified: | 121 / 282 |
---|---|
World Average Ratifications: | 114 / 282 |
Ratification rate: | 42.60% |
World Average Rate: | 41.25% |
Weighted score: | 48.49% |
World Average Weighted Score: | 41.25% |
World rank: | 79 / 194 |
Developing country rank: | 26 / 87 |
Developing country Avg. Ratifications: | 109 / 282 |
Small island developing States rank: | 2 / 37 |
Small island developing States Avg. Ratifications: | 86 / 282 |
South-East Asia rank: | 3 / 11 |
South-East Asia Avg. Ratifications: | 89 / 282 |
CONTRACTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agency | 0/2 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 8 | Weak |
Conflict of laws | 0/7 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 27 | Weak |
E-commerce | 2/3 (66.67%) | 66.67% | 18.00% | 2 | Strong |
Franchising | 0/1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
Leasing/Factoring | 0/2 | 0.00% | 5.00% | 13 | Weak |
Principles, trade usages and standards | 0/2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
Procurement | 0/4 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 31 | Weak |
Sale of Goods | 1/5 (20.00%) | 45.45% | 25.00% | 29 | Strong |
Travel contracts | 0/1 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 7 | Weak |
Total | 3 | 21.74% | 9.00% | 12 | Strong |
CUSTOMS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Customs Codification | 2/3 (66.67%) | 100.00% | 78.00% | 1 | Strong |
Customs Cooperation | 0/6 | 0.00% | 26.00% | 117 | Weak |
Exemption from Duties | 3/9 (33.33%) | 33.33% | 30.00% | 76 | Strong |
Temporary Admission | 4/11 (36.36%) | 41.18% | 28.00% | 55 | Strong |
Transit | 0/4 | 0.00% | 28.00% | 98 | Weak |
Total | 9 | 30.43% | 31.00% | 84 | Weak |
DISPUTE RESOLUTION | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Arbitration | 2/6 (33.33%) | 50.00% | 32.00% | 29 | Strong |
Judicial cooperation | 1/5 (20.00%) | 26.32% | 36.00% | 76 | Weak |
Recognition of foreign judgments | 0/2 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 6 | Weak |
State court jurisdiction | 0/4 | 0.00% | 14.00% | 29 | Weak |
State court procedure | 0/1 | 0.00% | 6.00% | 12 | Weak |
State immunities | 0/1 | 0.00% | 11.00% | 22 | Weak |
Total | 3 | 30.00% | 29.00% | 69 | Weak |
ENVIRONMENT AND PRODUCTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Air | 5/5 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 86.00% | 1 | Strong |
Chemicals | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 78.00% | 1 | Strong |
Energy | 0/2 | 0.00% | 25.00% | 50 | Weak |
Flora and fauna | 4/10 (40.00%) | 43.48% | 68.00% | 177 | Weak |
Foodstuff | 1/2 (50.00%) | 37.50% | 79.00% | 136 | Weak |
General | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 95.00% | 1 | Weak |
International watercourses | 0/1 | 0.00% | 18.00% | 36 | Weak |
Maritime and Law of the Sea | 13/26 (50.00%) | 61.96% | 46.00% | 61 | Strong |
Protected geographical areas | 0/1 | 0.00% | 27.00% | 54 | Weak |
Waste | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 93.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 26 | 62.50% | 61.00% | 98 | Weak |
FINANCE, PAYMENTS AND INSOLVENCY | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Assignment of receivables | 0/1 | 0.00% | 1.00% | 2 | Weak |
Bankruptcy and insolvency | 0/1 | 0.00% | 21.00% | 41 | Weak |
Bills of exchange and promissory notes | 0/4 | 0.00% | 8.00% | 43 | Weak |
Cheques | 0/3 | 0.00% | 13.00% | 36 | Weak |
Credit transfers | 0/1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
International guarantees | 2/3 (66.67%) | 54.55% | 20.00% | 5 | Strong |
Total | 2 | 14.63% | 12.00% | 52 | Strong |
GOOD GOVERNANCE | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Corruption | 2/4 (50.00%) | 66.67% | 50.00% | 34 | Strong |
Cultural Property | 1/4 (25.00%) | 31.25% | 54.00% | 142 | Weak |
Drugs | 3/3 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 95.00% | 1 | Weak |
Insider Trading | 0/1 | 0.00% | 4.00% | 9 | Weak |
Organized crime | 1/2 (50.00%) | 62.50% | 80.00% | 112 | Weak |
Total | 7 | 63.46% | 68.00% | 123 | Weak |
HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOUR STANDARDS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Human Rights | 6/7 (85.71%) | 85.71% | 96.00% | 143 | Weak |
Labour Standards | 6/8 (75.00%) | 75.00% | 86.00% | 160 | Weak |
Total | 12 | 80.00% | 91.00% | 161 | Weak |
INSTITUTIONAL PARTICIPATION | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Dispute Resolution | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 39.00% | 1 | Strong |
International Trade Law | 8/10 (80.00%) | 80.00% | 73.00% | 56 | Average |
Trade support institutions | 5/6 (83.33%) | 83.33% | 51.00% | 29 | Strong |
Total | 14 | 82.35% | 63.00% | 46 | Strong |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Broadcasting | 0/1 | 0.00% | 47.00% | 93 | Weak |
Copyright | 2/3 (66.67%) | 90.91% | 65.00% | 48 | Strong |
Industrial designs | 1/2 (50.00%) | 62.50% | 31.00% | 37 | Strong |
Integrated circuits | 0/1 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 4 | Weak |
Neighboring Rights | 1/3 (33.33%) | 38.46% | 46.00% | 85 | Weak |
Origin | 0/3 | 0.00% | 14.00% | 51 | Weak |
Patents | 3/5 (60.00%) | 71.43% | 57.00% | 60 | Strong |
Trademarks | 3/6 (50.00%) | 59.09% | 33.00% | 46 | Strong |
Varieties of plants | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 37.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 11 | 55.79% | 42.00% | 64 | Strong |
INVESTMENTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Investment disputes | 1/2 (50.00%) | 50.00% | 39.00% | 2 | Strong |
Investment guaranty | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 93.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 2 | 66.67% | 57.00% | 2 | Strong |
PRODUCTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Marine Resources | 0/1 | 0.00% | 24.00% | 48 | Weak |
Timber | 0/1 | 0.00% | 31.00% | 61 | Weak |
General | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 92.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 1 | 38.46% | 53.00% | 85 | Weak |
TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Air transport | 5/7 (71.43%) | 90.48% | 59.00% | 4 | Strong |
Aircrafts and civil aviation | 5/9 (55.56%) | 76.00% | 74.00% | 80 | Weak |
Maritime shipping and load lines | 11/13 (84.62%) | 94.29% | 66.00% | 11 | Strong |
Maritime transport | 4/12 (33.33%) | 33.33% | 27.00% | 55 | Strong |
Multi modal transport | 0/2 | 0.00% | 4.00% | 15 | Weak |
Rail transport | 0/3 | 0.00% | 22.00% | 50 | Weak |
Road transport | 0/4 | 0.00% | 31.00% | 86 | Weak |
Space | 2/4 (50.00%) | 66.67% | 40.00% | 55 | Strong |
Telecommunications | 2/2 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 47.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 29 | 60.14% | 50.00% | 55 | Strong |
TREATIES LAW | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
General | 0/4 | 0.00% | 30.00% | 113 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 30.00% | 113 | Weak |
WTO | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Plurilateral Agreements | 1/2 (50.00%) | 50.00% | 18.00% | 26 | Strong |
WTO Agreements | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 81.00% | 1 | Strong |
Total | 2 | 72.73% | 47.00% | 26 | Strong |
Strong | |
---|---|
Contracts | E-commerce |
Contracts | Sale of Goods |
Customs | Customs Codification |
Customs | Exemption from Duties |
Customs | Temporary Admission |
Dispute resolution | Arbitration |
Environment and products | Air |
Environment and products | Chemicals |
Environment and products | Maritime and Law of the Sea |
Finance, payments and insolvency | International guarantees |
Good Governance | Corruption |
Institutional Participation | Dispute Resolution |
Institutional Participation | Trade support institutions |
Intellectual property | Copyright |
Intellectual property | Industrial designs |
Intellectual property | Patents |
Intellectual property | Trademarks |
Intellectual property | Varieties of plants |
Investments | Investment disputes |
Transport and telecommunications | Air transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Maritime shipping and load lines |
Transport and telecommunications | Maritime transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Space |
Transport and telecommunications | Telecommunications |
WTO | Plurilateral Agreements |
WTO | WTO Agreements |
Average | |
Contracts | Franchising |
Contracts | Principles, trade usages and standards |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Credit transfers |
Institutional Participation | International Trade Law |
Weak | |
Contracts | Agency |
Contracts | Conflict of laws |
Contracts | Leasing/Factoring |
Contracts | Procurement |
Contracts | Travel contracts |
Customs | Customs Cooperation |
Customs | Transit |
Dispute resolution | Judicial cooperation |
Dispute resolution | Recognition of foreign judgments |
Dispute resolution | State court jurisdiction |
Dispute resolution | State court procedure |
Dispute resolution | State immunities |
Environment and products | Energy |
Environment and products | Flora and fauna |
Environment and products | Foodstuff |
Environment and products | General |
Environment and products | International watercourses |
Environment and products | Protected geographical areas |
Environment and products | Waste |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Assignment of receivables |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Bankruptcy and insolvency |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Bills of exchange and promissory notes |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Cheques |
Good Governance | Cultural Property |
Good Governance | Drugs |
Good Governance | Insider Trading |
Good Governance | Organized crime |
Human Rights and Labour Standards | Human rights |
Human Rights and Labour Standards | Labour Standards |
Intellectual property | Broadcasting |
Intellectual property | Integrated circuits |
Intellectual property | Neighboring Rights |
Intellectual property | Origin |
Investments | Investment guaranty |
Products | General |
Products | Marine Resources |
Products | Timber |
Transport and telecommunications | Aircrafts and civil aviation |
Transport and telecommunications | Multi modal transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Rail transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Road transport |
Treaties law | General |
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