I have recently begun recruiting to Singapore and during this time I have been enchanted by this place because of its vibrant surroundings, emergence of different cultures and its commitment to National growth, both from economic and cultural perspectives. The quality of life offered is of a very high standard and the medical system is thriving with a high demand for Consultants for this rapidly growing population. High salaries are on offer for Consultants and great career opportunities working in world class hospitals.
Encompassing aspects of both East and West lifestyles, Singapore is a fantastic place to live and work, and we at Head Medical have put together a list of interesting facts about this exciting location:
• Although small in size, Singapore commands an enormous presence in the world with its free trade economy and highly efficient workforce. Singapore is one of the Four Asian Tigers, and over 7000 multinational companies operate there.
• At any one time, there are approximately 1000 ships in the Port of Singapore, with one leaving or arriving every 2-3 minutes on average. Currently the world’s second busiest port in terms of total shipping tonnage, it also tranships a fifth of the world's shipping containers and half of the world's annual supply of crude oil.
• Singapore is the second most densely populated country in the world. At present, the population stands at slightly over five million people, with English as the main language of instruction, and a mother tongue for each major ethnicity. There are four major ethnic groups – the Chinese majority and also Malay, Indian and Eurasian.
• Singapore has the fastest growing foreign population per capita in the world. Within a decade, the majority of people in Singapore will be foreign born.
• The
Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest Ferris wheel, which at 165m stands a good 30m taller than the London Eye.
• The Singapore Sling was first served in 1915 at the Long Bar of the
Raffles Hotel. The ingredients are gin, Cointreau, cherry brandy, Dom Benedictine, pineapple juice, Grenadine, Angoustura bitters and limes. Raffles Hotel was named in honour of Stamford Raffles, a British statesman widely credited as being the founder of Singapore.
• The national symbol of Singapore is the
Merlion, a beast with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The lion represents an animal that a Sumatran prince saw which resembled a lion, and the fish is a tribute to Singapore’s history as an ancient sea town. The original name of the city, ‘Singapura’, literally means ‘Lion City’ (Singa = Lion and Pura = City).
• Symbolism of the
national flag: the red half symbolises universal brotherhood and equality of man, while the white signifies purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the rise and the five stars signify Singapore’s ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.
Please get in touch on +44 (0)131 240 5261 or
jonathan@headmedical.com to express your interest in working in Singapore or with any questions you might have.
Jonathan Blake
Senior Recruitment Consultant