Singapore has achieved astounding economic success
Can Lawrence Wong, its incoming PM, oversee further growth?
Since its independence almost 60 years ago, Singapore has become a beacon of prosperity. In a part of the world where middle-income status is the norm, the city-state is now the richest country for many thousands of miles in any direction. At around $88,000, its GDP per person has doubled in real terms over the past 20 years. At the moment of its independence in 1965, the country was poorer on the same basis than South Africa or Jordan.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “The view from the top”
From the May 11th 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Asia
America recreates a warfighting command in Japan
The threat from China hastens the biggest military transformation in the Pacific in decades
Taiwan is beefing up its military exercises to counter China
The island’s new defence minister wants more practice and less performance
Sheikh Hasina faces her biggest crisis in years
Bangladesh’s prime minister shuts down the country
A weakened Narendra Modi subsidises jobs and doles out pork
The prime minister has had to compromise after a disappointing election
Is this a new age of warrior Japan?
The country is spending more on its armed forces. But not everyone is on board
The epic bust-up between China and India could be ending
Witness calm in the Himalayas, diplomatic charm offensives and thickening trade links