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SINGAPORE: The number of babies born in Singapore in the first half of this year rose marginally to 18,488 from 18,294 in the same period last year.
But thanks to foreigners, Singapore's population has grown more than marginally.
Figures released by the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) showed that last year, 13,209 foreigners were granted Singapore citizenship - about 300 more than in 2005.
The number of permanent residents also jumped, from 52,300 in 2005 to 57,300 last year.
And to drive home the message that all Singaporeans share a common identity, a National Citizenship ceremony will be held this Saturday to swear in new citizens like Larry Medina.
The 41-year-old accountant relocated his family from the US to Singapore seven years ago.
And it didn't take long for Larry and his Indonesian wife to decide that their future in Singapore will be brighter than in the US.
Larry said: "Certainly very complex decisions and the things that convinced us were: we expect the economies to continue to boom in Asia and Singapore is the best location to take advantage of that; my wife's family is close by as well, and all the usual things that people say about Singapore - that it's an easy place to live in, from the infrastructure perspective, and good schools for the kids, etc."
But choosing Singapore over US means that Larry has to relinquish his US citizenship, which he did recently and with few regrets.
Larry's wife, who is a Permanent Resident, has also applied for Singapore citizenship and hopes to be granted her pink Identity Card within months.
Their children get to keep their US citizenship till they turn 18 when they have to choose which country to call home.
Erika Medina, 7, is enrolled at a public primary school - Balestier Hill Primary - and lists Chinese lessons as one of her favourite subjects.
Her father is planning to send her 4-year-old brother to a public school too.
Singapore hopes to add about 40,000 citizens and 200,000 permanent residents to its fold over the next five years.
But attracting new migrants is only half the story.
With more immigrants from different cultures and backgrounds, integration of these new citizens becomes all the more vital.
Getting them involved in grassroots activities is one way to help new citizens like Maung Naig Win Kyaw bond with the community.
Maung came to Singapore from Myanmar 16 years ago.
The project engineer had not intended to settle down in Singapore. But all that changed after he met his wife, who is a Singaporean.
Now, the 44-year-old is so involved in grassroots activities that he has become a close friend to many in his neighbourhood.
He said: "I enjoy helping the elderly people around this area. I feel that when I join the RC, Residents' Committee, I can contribute more for the elderly people... (like) helping them prevent dengue fever. Sometimes they call me to join them for tea, and I enjoy all these. I don't feel any difference between new citizens and local Singaporeans."
Maung and his six-year-old son received their Singapore citizenship last year.
And Maung will be adding another member to the Singapore family - his second child will be born next month. - CNA/ir
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