PRESS RELEASE

Census of Population 2010 Statistical Release 3 on Geographic Distribution and Transport

1 The Census of Population 2010 “Statistical Release 3 – Geographic Distribution and Transport” released by Department of Statistics showed that between 2000 and 2010, the proportion of resident working persons who commuted to work by MRT increased. Those who used the public bus as the only mode of transport to work declined over the same period.

A. Geographic Distribution

Age Profile

2 In 2010, the proportion of elderly aged 65 years and over was highest among Singapore residents staying in Outram, , Rochor, Queenstown and planning areas1 (15-19 per cent). The proportion of elderly was lowest among Singapore residents staying in (4.8 per cent).

Highest Qualification Attained

3 In 2010, the proportion with at least post-secondary qualification was highest among Singapore residents staying in the planning area (86 per cent), (85 per cent) and Newton (84 per cent). The corresponding proportion was lower among Singapore residents staying in older estates such as Rochor (41 per cent), Bukit Merah (41 per cent) and Outram (30 per cent).

Language Most Frequently Spoken at Home

4 The proportion who spoke English most frequently at home was highest among Singapore residents staying in Tanglin, Singapore River, , Newton and River Valley planning areas in 2010 (67 - 75 per cent). In contrast, the proportion who spoke English most frequently at home was lowest among Singapore residents staying in Woodlands (23 per cent), West (20 per cent) and Outram (16 per cent).

1 Planning areas refer to areas demarcated in the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Master Plan 2008.

B. Transport

Usual Mode of Transport to Work

5 In tandem with the extension of the MRT network, the proportion of resident working persons who commuted to work by MRT only or MRT combined with another mode increased from 24 per cent in 2000 to 31 per cent in 2010. Those who used the public bus as the only mode of transport to work declined from 25 per cent to 19 per cent over the same period. The proportion of resident working persons who used the car as the only mode of transport to work increased slightly from 24 per cent in 2000 to 25 per cent in 2010.

Mode of Transport to Work by Planning Area

6 In 2010, the proportion of resident working persons who commuted to work by MRT only or MRT combined with another mode was highest among those staying in (49 per cent), followed by , Woodlands and (40-42 per cent). The proportion who used the public bus as the only mode of transport to work was highest among those staying in Bukit Merah (31 per cent), (29 per cent) and (26 per cent).

7 In contrast, the proportion of resident working persons who commuted to work by car only was highest among those staying in Tanglin (62 per cent), Bukit Timah (62 per cent), and Newton (50-53 per cent).

Travelling Time to Work

8 In 2010, the median travelling time to work was 30 minutes for resident working persons who commuted to work by car only. The median travelling time to work was also 30 minutes for those who commuted to work by public bus only.

Travelling Time to Work by Planning Area

9 Resident working persons staying nearer to the city generally had shorter travelling time to work. In 2010, the median travelling time to work was less than 25 minutes among resident working persons staying at the Downtown Core, Outram, Newton, River Valley, Tanglin, and Singapore River planning areas. In contrast, the median travelling time to work was longest at 40 minutes for resident working persons staying in Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Panjang, Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, and Punggol.

Usual Mode of Transport to School

10 Reflecting the close proximity of the schools to their homes, 46 per cent of the pre-primary and primary school students walked to school in 2010, unchanged from 2000.

11 MRT emerged as an important mode of transport to school for those attending higher education. Between 2000 and 2010, the proportion who commuted to school by MRT only or MRT combined with another mode increased from 33 per cent to 54 per cent for polytechnic students, and from 41 per cent to 56 per cent for university students.

Travelling Time to School

12 The median travelling time to school was 45 minutes for polytechnic students and 50 minutes for university students in 2010. In comparison, the median travelling time was shorter for pre-primary and primary, and secondary school students (12 minutes and 20 minutes respectively).

About the Release

13 The Census of Population 2010 “Statistical Release 3 – Geographic Distribution and Transport” is the third and final statistical release of a series of statistical publications on detailed census results. This release provides findings on the key trends and changes relating to the geographic distribution and transport characteristics of the Singapore resident population. The report includes detailed statistical tables to enable more comprehensive study by users as well as a glossary of census concepts and definitions.

14 The report “Statistical Release 3 – Geographic Distribution and Transport” is available for download from the Department of Statistics’ website at www.singstat.gov.sg.

Singapore Department of Statistics 24 February 2011 For enquiries, please contact Eng Kah Joo T (+65) 6332 7708 E [email protected]