Singapore's total population grew by 1.6 per cent to reach 5.4 million as of June this year. That is the slowest growth rate in the past nine years, according to the latest report from the National Population and Talent Division. SMU Behavioural Sciences Institute Director Professor David Chan said: "It is important to bring in foreigners that are economically active, so that they can contribute to the country. But having said that, I think it is important that you bring in people, and some of them may become our PRs, and some of them may want to sink their roots here and become citizens. So you really want people who are not only economically active but who have the integration potential."