The government has mandated that English be the primary language used at all levels of the school systems, and it aims to provide at least 10 years of education for every child. In 2003, primary and secondary school students totaled about 506,000, or 12% of the entire population. In 2003, enrollment at the universities was 55,426 (full-time, part-time, and post-graduate) and 62,206 at the polytechnics. The Institute of Technical Education for basic technical and commerce skills has almost 17,941 students. The country's literacy rate is 94%.

Singapore generally allows religious freedom, although religious groups are subject to government scrutiny, and some religious sects are restricted or banned. Almost all Malays are Muslim; other Singaporeans are Taoists, Buddhists, Confucianists, Christians, Hindus, or Sikhs.