Singapore’s population has grown at a slower rate than it has in the preceding decade, according to the latest census released on Wednesday, with locals having fewer children and immigration regulations tightening.

Due to fewer international arrivals as a result of travel restrictions and employment losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the global financial hub’s population dropped 0.3 percent to 5.69 million last year, the first dip since 2003.

Singapore, like many other industrialized countries, is dealing with the consequences of low birth rates and an aging population.

In 2020, residents aged 65 and older made up 15.2 percent of the population, up from 9% in 2010.

Singapore’s population increased from 3.23 million to 3.52 million between 2010 and 2020. However, more people are staying single, and those who do marry have fewer children.

From 2.02 in 2010, the average number of children born to a married resident female aged 40 to 49 years fell to 1.76 in 2020.

According to the most recent census, the median age of the resident population, which includes citizens and permanent residents, climbed to 41.5 years in 2020 from 37.4 years in 2010.

Authorities have also been accelerating immigration restrictions since the 2011 general elections when the ruling People’s Action Party polled a record low share of the popular vote, hurt by citizens’ anxiety over an influx of foreigners.