Singapore is having a mini-baby boom. This year Singapore has seen more babies born there during the first half of the year than were born there during the same period last year. The number of babies born during the first six months was up to 18,488 this year compared to 18,294 last year.

Population in Singapore has grown more than officials had expected because of the growing numbers of foreigners migrating to their country.

According to the National Population Secretariat, figures showed that 13,209 foreigners were granted Singapore citizenship and the number of permanent residents jumped from 52,300 in 2005 to 57,300 in 2006.

Singapore is still open for new residents in the next five years. They are hoping to add 40,000 citizens and 200,000 permanent residents.