Singapore Culture & People of Singapore

3 min read|Last Updated: November 21, 2022|
Home>Guides / FAQ>Singapore Culture & People of Singapore

Known for its diverse and multi-cultural community, Singapore is home to the 4 dominant races – Chinese, Malays, Indians, and Eurasians, along with foreigners who work and live in Singapore. When setting up a company or moving to Singapore, it is always important to understand the country’s people and culture.

The People of Singapore

The 3 most common ethnic groups in Singapore are:

  • Chinese – 75% of the population

    • Most are Fujian and Guangdong descendants
  • Malays – 15% of the population

    • Oldest community in Singapore
    • Most are of Indonesian descent – Baweanese or Javanese
  • Indians – 7% of the population

    • Primarily consists of Malayalis, Tamils, and Sikhs
    • Sinhalese and Pakistani descents are also included
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With the diversity of racial groups, English was selected as the primary medium of instruction and communication. The other three languages that are commonplace in Singapore are Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.

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What is the Singapore Culture like?

The many racial and religious groups in Singapore make the country’s festival celebrations colourful, they include:

  • Buddhism
  • Taoism
  • Christianity
  • Islam
  • Hinduism
  • Sikhism

With various religions, Singapore has a wide array of commemorative festivals as below, with key occasions celebrated as official public holidays in Singapore.

Chinese New Year

Hari Raya Puasa

Deepavali

Christmas

National Day

Hungry Ghost Festival

Doing Business in Singapore

Despite the diverse racial mix in Singapore, the government ensures every race has equal opportunities by enforcing labour laws to fight against racial discrimination.

If you are looking forward to starting a business in Singapore, you should take note of some of the local business customs:

  • Avoid conducting business meetings during Ramadan or on Fridays, nor should they serve alcohol or pork when doing businesses with Muslims
  • Do not serve beef to Hindus
  • The person who invited someone else to any social or business events should pay the bill, but the other party can reciprocate during the next event
  • Punctuality is important – those who are running late for a meeting must let the other party know in advance

Foreigners in Business in Singapore

Many foreigners are interested in investing in Singapore because of the business grants available and the pool of skilled professionals. Also, the business culture in Singapore is conducive and polite, with the government looking to attract skilled foreign talents.

If you’re a foreigner looking to incorporate a company in Singapore, there are certain procedures that you will need to undergo before you can operate in Singapore such as registering your company, securing a visa, and more.

Here at Paul Hype Page, we specialise in bringing foreign entrepreneurs into Singapore with our local expertise in company setup and employment pass applications.

START WORKING AND LIVING IN SINGAPORE TODAY

Come to our office or get in touch virtually for a consultation on your company incorporation with employment pass, and other corporate services.

FAQs

Is it part of an initial business meeting to give gifts in Singapore?2021-08-21T23:16:53+08:00

Gift-giving is not part of an initial business meeting in Singapore.

Is it appropriate for me to host a business breakfast in Singapore?2021-08-21T23:15:39+08:00

Business breakfasts are not common in Singapore. If you would like to host a business meal, lunch is usually preferred.

How about gift-giving in Singapore, is it part of an initial business meeting?2020-11-20T13:59:47+08:00

Nope, in Singapore, giftgiving is not part of an initial business meeting.  

What are the typical working hours in Singapore?2021-08-21T23:17:19+08:00

The typical working hours in Singapore are 9am to 6pm, with a 1-hour lunch break in between.

What is the meeting etiquette in Singapore?2021-08-21T23:17:46+08:00

If you would like to have a meeting with your business partner, be sure to schedule and confirm the meeting ahead of time. It is very rude to arrive late to a meeting – if you are going to be late, inform the host beforehand and apologise.

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