The service sector in Singapore's economy, 1957-1977

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with identifying the recent structure and performance of the service sector in Singapore1s economy. After a survey of the literature on general relationships between services and economic growth, problems associated with the measurement of output, employment and productivity of service industries are explored. The nature and operation of the service sector in relation to the rest of the economy and to overseas experience are then examined. Some comments are also directed at possible influences on the sector, and its significance in the economy. A major finding is the high export-orientation of service industries in Singapore, which indeed accounts for much of the atypical structure and subsequent performance of the service sector in the economy - particularly the large size of the sector and its relative decline over time. Moreover, the service sector does not appear to be very much more labour-intensive, and may well be more capital-intensive and labour-productive than the manufacturing sector. Finally, the role of the service sector in the growth and development of the economy, ln the two decades since 1957, may well have been as important as that of the industrial sector in Singapore. Show more