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Singapore

Republic of Singapore

Common lawParliamentary republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Singapore
Population
5,920,000
Languages
English, Malay
Currency
SGD

Singapore · Constitution

Constitution of the Republic of Singapore

Derived from the 1963 State of Singapore Constitution and amended extensively since independence in 1965. Part IV guarantees fundamental liberties, and Article 4 declares the Constitution supreme and voids inconsistent legislation. The structure has several unusual features: an elected President with custodial powers over past reserves and key public appointments, introduced in 1991; Group Representation Constituencies requiring minority candidates; Non-Constituency and Nominated Members of Parliament; and the Presidential Council for Minority Rights, which scrutinises bills for differentiating measures.

The constitutional text

Derived from the 1963 State of Singapore Constitution and amended extensively since independence in 1965. Part IV guarantees fundamental liberties, and Article 4 declares the Constitution supreme and voids inconsistent legislation. The structure has several unusual features: an elected President with custodial powers over past reserves and key public appointments, introduced in 1991; Group Representation Constituencies requiring minority candidates; Non-Constituency and Nominated Members of Parliament; and the Presidential Council for Minority Rights, which scrutinises bills for differentiating measures.

Separation of powers

Unitary and highly centralised — a city-state with no subnational legislature. Community Development Councils and Town Councils manage local services under statutory authority, but there is no federal or provincial layer and no devolved legislative competence.

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