Women's Health Statistics Singapore 2025

Life expectancy for women in Singapore is 87.6 years, the highest globally.

Singaporean women enjoy the longest life expectancy in the world, reflecting the country's advanced healthcare system, high standard of living, and effective public health policies.

Health-adjusted life expectancy for Singaporean women is 75.8 years.

This measures years lived in good health, accounting for time lived with illness or disability. Singapore's figure indicates not just longevity, but quality of life throughout those years.

The probability of dying from non-communicable diseases between ages 30 and 70 is 10.1% for women.

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer remain significant health challenges in Singapore despite its advanced healthcare infrastructure because of rapid population ageing, rising prevalence of NCDs, and limitations in primary care capacity and integration.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Singaporean women, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 72.61 per 100,000.

Breast cancer accounts for approximately 1 in 3 of all cancers diagnosed in women in Singapore, making regular mammogram screening critical for early detection.

Only 45.5% of women aged ≥40 report regular mammogram screening.

Despite breast cancer being the #1 cancer affecting Singaporean women, less than half of eligible women undergo regular screening. This represents a significant gap in preventive healthcare.

Cervical cancer screening participation is low, with only 30% of eligible women reporting screening.

Despite cervical cancer being highly preventable through regular Pap smears and HPV testing, participation rates in Singapore remain concerningly low.

Since 1968, Singapore has experienced an approximate 47.9% drop in the incidence of invasive cervical cancer, attributed to the implementation of Pap screening programmes.

The reduction in cervical cancer rates in Singapore's organized screening programmes was calculated by comparing age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) of invasive cervical cancer over time, using data from the Singapore Cancer Registry. The ASR declined from 24.34 per 100,000 females in 1968–1972 to 12.68 per 100,000 in 2008–2012, representing a decrease of approximately 47.9%.

Calculation:
Percentage decrease = (ASR_1968-1972 − ASR_2008-2012) ASR_1968-1972 × 100

Percentage decrease = (24.34 − 12.68) 24.34 × 100 = 47.9%

The reduction in cervical cancer rates in Singapore is attributed to the implementation of Pap screening programmes, which have led to consistently decreasing incidence over time.

Women with lower household income, less knowledge, and less engagement in other health screenings are less likely to undergo mammograms.

Socioeconomic and educational factors create disparities in screening rates, suggesting targeted interventions are needed to improve equity in preventive healthcare access.

Menopausal symptoms are highly prevalent, with 62.6% of midlife women reporting at least one moderate to severe symptom.

Nearly two-thirds of women experience significant menopausal symptoms that impact quality of life, yet many do not seek treatment or support.

Joint and muscle discomfort, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, exhaustion, and hot flushes are the top five menopausal symptoms reported.

These symptoms significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life for menopausal women, highlighting the need for comprehensive support and treatment options.

Sexual dysfunction affects 70.3% of sexually active midlife women.

Sexual health issues are remarkably common among midlife women but remain under-discussed and undertreated due to cultural stigma and lack of awareness.

About 43.2% of women in midlife do not have sex, and this is more common in women who are older, started having periods at a younger age, have less education, have lower income, are not married, have never had children, or are underweight (with body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m²).

Nearly half of midlife women report being sexually inactive, often due to physical symptoms, relationship factors, or lack of desire—issues that can be addressed with proper medical support.

Urinary incontinence affects 41.74% of female outpatients, but only 41% seek medical attention.

Most women who experience urinary incontinence in outpatient settings in Singapore have mild symptoms, and the most frequent form is stress urinary incontinence, which means urine leaks during activities like coughing, sneezing, or exercising. Older age, having given birth vaginally, and being sexually active are all linked to a greater likelihood of experiencing urinary incontinence.

Despite being highly prevalent, most women with urinary incontinence do not seek help, often due to embarrassment or the misconception that it's a normal part of aging.

Obesity (BMI ≥27) is associated with a more than twofold increased risk of endometrial cancer among Singapore Chinese women.

Weight management is not just about appearance—it's a critical factor in cancer prevention, particularly for hormone-related cancers like endometrial cancer.

Only 32.7% of working women in Singapore achieved a health-enhancing level of physical activity two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, while 44.7% reported sitting for seven or more hours daily.

Women working from home and those living with family were less likely to achieve a health-enhancing level of physical activity, and together with prolonged sitting time, this may contribute to increased risk of chronic diseases, poorer physical health, and reduced overall well-being.