Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
The 2025 general election in Singapore - statistics & facts
Singapore held its 14th general election on May 3rd, 2025, which saw the long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP) maintaining their stronghold over Singapore politics. The PAP won 87 out of 97 seats in parliament, and increased their voter share by around four percentage points from the previous elections, during which they secured one of their lowest shares of votes. Singapore’s largest opposition party, the Workers’ Party, managed to retain the 10 seats that they held in parliament. The PAP’s strong showing was the mandate sought by newly minted Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the so-called fourth generation (4G) of PAP leaders. However, it comes on the back of a record-low voter turnout in Singapore.
Although Singapore is not a one-party state, the PAP has been the ruling political party there since its independence in 1965. The leading opposition parties include the Singapore Democratic Party, Singapore Democratic Alliance, and the Workers’ Party. However, since 2011, the Workers’ Party has managed to increase its share of the votes and seats in Parliament. They won a historical high of 10 seats in 2020 on the back of voter dissatisfaction and concerns about the economy during the pandemic. With this election, the Workers’ Party has emerged as Singapore’s largest and strongest opposition party.
The global economic instability comes on top of Singaporeans’ already existing concerns on rising cost of living. Although core inflation has decreased since 2023, alongside an increase in real household income, prices of goods and services have yet to adjust to falling inflation rates, leading many to perceive a decrease in their purchasing power. Furthermore, prices for the government-controlled Housing Development Board (HDB) flats, in which 77 percent of Singaporeans reside in, have almost doubled since 2019, making housing increasingly expensive for many Singaporeans. This comes alongside record-high prices for the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) for private cars, pricing out many Singaporeans from owning one.
GE2025 – the beginning of a new era in Singapore’s politics?
2024 was a watershed year for Singapore’s political leadership. Lee Hsien Loong, the long-serving Prime Minister and son of the first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, stepped down after 20 years in power. He handed over the reins of the government, as well as the leadership of the PAP, to his successor Lawrence Wong, marking a transition to the 4G leadership. This would be Wong’s first general election as Prime Minister.Although Singapore is not a one-party state, the PAP has been the ruling political party there since its independence in 1965. The leading opposition parties include the Singapore Democratic Party, Singapore Democratic Alliance, and the Workers’ Party. However, since 2011, the Workers’ Party has managed to increase its share of the votes and seats in Parliament. They won a historical high of 10 seats in 2020 on the back of voter dissatisfaction and concerns about the economy during the pandemic. With this election, the Workers’ Party has emerged as Singapore’s largest and strongest opposition party.
Cost of living and economic security remain voters’ leading concerns
During the months and weeks before the general elections in Singapore, the global economy was rocked by turmoil caused by the Trump administration’s import tariffs. As an open economy heavily reliant on international trade, Singapore is especially vulnerable to the risk of being caught in the crosshairs of trade war between China and the USA, two of its largest trading partners. As a result, Singapore’s GDP forecast has been downgraded to zero to two percent, from an initial one to three percent.The global economic instability comes on top of Singaporeans’ already existing concerns on rising cost of living. Although core inflation has decreased since 2023, alongside an increase in real household income, prices of goods and services have yet to adjust to falling inflation rates, leading many to perceive a decrease in their purchasing power. Furthermore, prices for the government-controlled Housing Development Board (HDB) flats, in which 77 percent of Singaporeans reside in, have almost doubled since 2019, making housing increasingly expensive for many Singaporeans. This comes alongside record-high prices for the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) for private cars, pricing out many Singaporeans from owning one.
Singaporeans voted for stability in times of global economic and political uncertainty
The election results seem to show that Singaporeans support the current administration to tackle these issues, as well as to advocate for Singapore’s best interests on the global stage. Having been in power in the city-state for 60 years, the PAP is seen by many Singaporeans as a safe bet in turbulent times. The results may have dealt a blow to the nascent opposition parties, however, as the country’s political scene matures, more and stronger opposition voices should emerge to give more representation to the diverse Singaporean population.
