Commenting on Singapore's population figures, SMU Professor of Sociology (Practice) and Dean of Students Paulin Straughan, who is also Director of Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA) said that being able to achieve modest population growth despite a falling birth rate is significant. “This is particularly since our Asian neighbours (Japan and South Korea) have registered shrinking populations. As a small nation state with only human resource to depend on, we are mindful that we should celebrate the fact that despite a very modest growth of 0.7 per cent amongst citizens, we are still able to attract foreign talent to partner us in our economic endeavours,” she said. Prof Straughan also said that immigration will become more vital in the years ahead, with many more countries competing for foreign talent and surplus labour. “And for countries which are now sending more than receiving, there will come a time when they will strive to become more attractive options for local job seekers so that they can retain their own citizens,” she added.