What this lesson teaches
I can explain how resources, population and external shocks make Singapore vulnerable.
Syllabus K329, Topic 5.1, Key Question 3. What are Singapore's vulnerabilities?
Make a guess
Singapore gets plenty of rain. Why does it still plan its water supply so carefully?
- It does not need to, as rain covers its needs.
- Because rainwater cannot be made safe to drink.
- Because there are months with almost no rain.
- Land and storage limit how much rain is kept.
Show the answer
Land and storage limit how much rain is kept.
A small island has little room for catchments and reservoirs, and dry spells happen. So PUB uses four sources to spread the risk.
With little land and few resources, Singapore needs secure supplies, and having several sources reduces the risk from any one.
Homes, jobs, transport, nature and utilities all compete for Singapore's limited land. Expanding one use may push out another or need costly reclamation. So sustainable development depends on how land is used, not just how much there is.
Singapore imports more than 90% of its food, according to SFA's 2024 statistics. Overseas disease, bad weather or export bans can cut supplies or raise prices. Relying on one supplier makes this worse.
Put these in order
A food supplier abroad suddenly bans exports. Put what follows in order.
- Supplies recover, though prices may stay higher if other suppliers face the same problem.
- A key overseas supplier bans exports after a disease outbreak.
- Importers turn to other countries that also sell the food.
- Prices rise and some shops run short.
- Less of that food reaches Singapore.
Show the answer
- A key overseas supplier bans exports after a disease outbreak. Singapore imports more than 90% of its food, so a supplier stopping cuts the amount arriving.
- Less of that food reaches Singapore. When supply falls but people still want the food, sellers can charge more for what is left.
- Prices rise and some shops run short. Households and businesses feel the pinch, so buyers look for the food elsewhere.
- Importers turn to other countries that also sell the food. Having many suppliers means other sources can make up some of the shortfall.
- Supplies recover, though prices may stay higher if other suppliers face the same problem.
Rain fills local reservoirs, but land, storage and dry spells limit how much can be collected. PUB's Four National Taps are local catchment water, imported water, NEWater and desalination. Electricity also depends heavily on imported fuel. Making food and treating water both need energy, so compare options by cost and energy use.
- Food
- More than 90% imported (SFA, 2024).
- Four National Taps
- Local catchment, imported water, NEWater and desalination.
- Energy
- Relies heavily on imported fuel.
Step by step
A supply is disrupted
Drought, disease or export bans hit one source.
Users are affected
Supplies fall or prices rise.
Alternatives help
Other sources reduce the damage.
Real examples to use
Food
Singapore imports over 90% of its food, from more than 170 countries and regions. Buying from many sources reduces the risk if one supplier is cut off.
Energy
About 95% of Singapore's electricity is generated from natural gas, almost all of it imported.
Water
Singapore gets water from four "national taps": local catchments, water imported from Johor, NEWater and desalinated seawater.
Worked example: Four taps work together
In a dry spell, reservoir supply may fall. NEWater and desalination rely less on rain, but need energy, plants and maintenance. A mix of sources is more reliable than any one alone.
Watch out for this
Producing everything locally would remove all risk.
Local production also needs land, energy and money. Several sources, including reliable imports, work best.
Check your understanding
Why is a second food supplier useful but not a full guarantee?
- A second supplier keeps spare food ready to send.
- It means imports stop mattering, since the food comes from two places.
- It cuts dependence on one source, but both could be disrupted.
Show the answer
It cuts dependence on one source, but both could be disrupted.
Yes. Shared shocks can hit both.
Check your understanding
About 95% of Singapore's electricity comes from imported natural gas. Why is this a vulnerability?
- Singapore's own gas fields are running out, so it must burn less.
- Natural gas is the most polluting fuel that power stations burn to make electricity.
- A disruption or price rise abroad hits Singapore's power supply and costs.
Show the answer
A disruption or price rise abroad hits Singapore's power supply and costs.
Reliance on one imported fuel increases exposure to shocks.