Hypertension Prevalence Among Adults in Singapore

 Hypertension Prevalence Among Adults in Singapore

• According to the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) 2022, the prevalence of hypertension among Singapore residents aged 18–74 was 37.0%, up from 35.5% in 2019–2020 Ministry of Health.

• In more familiar terms, that means more than 1 in 3 Singaporean adults have high blood pressure. This aligns with other sources stating over one in three residents aged 18 to 74 have hypertension MyHeartHealthHub.

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Estimating the Actual Number of Adults

• As of mid-2024, Singapore’s total population stood at approximately 6.04 million, of which 4.18 million are residents (citizens + permanent residents) Wikipedia.

• Using the 37.0% prevalence rate for adults 18–74, the estimated number of adult residents with hypertension would be:

  4.18 million × 37% ≈ 1.55 million adults
  

So roughly 1.5 million adult residents in Singapore are likely affected by hypertension.

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Summary

Metric	Value
Prevalence of adult hypertension (18–74 years)	37.0% (2021–2022)
Estimated number of affected adult residents	Approximately 1.55 million

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Hypertension by Age Group (NPHS 2022)

• The prevalence of hypertension increased to 37.0% among residents aged 18 to 74 during the period July 2021–June 2022, up from 35.5% in 2019–2020 Ministry of Health+1.

• This rise was especially observed among those aged 50 to 74 years — even after adjusting for Singapore’s population aging Mothership.

• Unfortunately, the NPHS press release does not provide more granular age-decile breakdowns (e.g., 18–29, 30–49), but it’s clear the older adult group bears a higher burden.

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Hypertension by Ethnicity and Gender

• The NPHS 2022 report doesn’t provide demographic details like gender or ethnicity breakdowns.

• However, earlier data from the National Health Survey 2010 (pre-NPHS) shows disparities across ethnic groups:

  • Chinese: ~23.4% prevalence

  • Malay: ~28.0%

  • Indian: ~19.3% PMC+1

• These older findings still highlight that Malays had a notably higher hypertension prevalence than Chinese and Indians.

• No updated breakdowns by ethnicity or gender were available in the 2022–2023 NPHS press coverage.

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Summary Table

Demographic Segment	Hypertension Prevalence
Residents (18–74 years)	37.0% (2021–2022) Ministry of Health+1
Age 50–74	Higher prevalence, key driver of increase Mothership
Ethnicity (2010 data)	Malay: ~28%, Chinese: ~23%, Indian: ~19% PMC+1

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What This Means

• Hypertension affects over 1 in 3 adult residents in Singapore.

• The risk increases significantly with age, particularly from 50 years onwards.

• Though somewhat dated, ethnicity-related data from 2010 suggests Malays were disproportionately affected—even then.

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Available Data Summary

Overall Trend (Residents Aged 18–74)

• The National Population Health Survey (NPHS) 2022 reported that the prevalence of hypertension rose from 19.8% in 2010 to 35.5% in 2019–2020, and further up to 37.0% in 2021–2022, even after adjusting for population ageing Ministry of HealthHealthHub.

• While the NPHS 2023 exists, the public summary doesn’t include updates on hypertension prevalence or breakdown by age/gender/ethnicity Ministry of Health+1Health Promotion Board.

Ethnic Differences (Older Data)

• The 2010 National Health Survey (precursor to NPHS) found differences in hypertension prevalence by ethnicity:

  • Chinese: ~23.4%

  • Malay: ~28%

  • Indian: ~19.3% PMC.

Ethnicity & Age Trends (Research Studies)

• A 2023 study (via PMC) noted a rise in age-standardised hypertension prevalence—from 21.9% in 2017 to 31.7% in 2020. It also highlighted that Malay and Chinese individuals experienced a greater increase compared to Indians PMC.

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