Singapore Homelessness: 496 Rough Sleepers Counted in 2025

SINGAPORE, July 26, 2025 – Singapore counted 496 people experiencing homelessness in a single night in mid-July, according to a newly released government report. That’s a surprisingly low number, and it begs teh question: what does homelessness *look* like in one of the world’s wealthiest nations?

A Slight Dip in Singapore’s homeless population

The latest street count reveals a 6.4 percent decrease in the number of rough sleepers since 2022.

• The 2025 street count identified 496 individuals sleeping rough, down from 530 in 2022.
• Most rough sleepers in Singapore are male (85 percent) and over the age of 50 (more than half).

The report, released by the Ministry of Social and Family Advancement, showed the 496 individuals identified represent a 6.4 percent decrease from the 530 recorded during a similar count in 2022.This isn’t necessarily a sign of a booming housing market solving everything, though. The ministry emphasizes that homelessness isn’t always about a complete lack of housing options.

Beyond the Numbers: Why People End Up Outdoors

Following the street count, a survey was conducted from July to August 2025 to dig deeper into the reasons why people find themselves sleeping in public spaces. The results echo findings from 2022,revealing a complex web of personal and economic factors.

Nearly half of those surveyed cited disagreements with family members, friends, or co-tenants as a primary driver. Financial issues accounted for 20 percent of responses, while 29 percent reported difficulties securing or maintaining housing.Interestingly,the ministry noted that 47 percent of respondents actually *had* a place they could return to,suggesting that relational conflict and other issues play a significant role.

The survey revealed that approximately two-thirds of respondents where employed, primarily in lower-income positions. This challenges the common assumption that homelessness is solely linked to unemployment.

The data also showed that nearly half of the respondents reported having some form of medical condition or disability. This highlights the intersection of health challenges and housing instability, a pattern seen in many developed nations.

The findings underscore the need for nuanced solutions that address not only housing affordability but also family dynamics, mental health, and access to support services. It’s a reminder that simply building more affordable housing isn’t always enough to solve the problem of homelessness.

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