1. Singapore’s Fertility Issue

2. The figure shows the falling TFR since the 1970s to 2012
Part 1: Background
1.25 births per woman as of 2014
Singapore Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
2.1 births per woman without immigration
Required TFR
Malaysia – 2.1 births per woman
Thailand – 1.4 births per woman
As of 2013
Other Countries TFR
The figure shows the falling TFR since the 1970s to 2012
Source: Department of Statistics, Singapore, “Population Trends 2013”, p.22
Sources: “More Marriages and Births in 2014”, National Population Talent Division, Press Release, February 16, 2015; World Bank Data:

3. Part 1: Background Causes for Singapore’s low TFR
1. More people remaining single
*46.2% Males and 43.5% Females aged were single
2. Marrying and having their first child at a later age
*Median age at first marriage: 30.2 Males & 28.1 Females
3. Having children later or no children at all
*30% of ever married women were childless & 21% have 1 child
4. Changing Family Size
*Families with 2 children continues to be the norm
5. Changing Family Structure
Part 1: Background
Causes for Singapore’s low TFR
Changing Family Structure:
Increased early divorces
Divorce among seniors
More singles
Double-income, no kids
Sandwiched families
Source: NPTD, Population in Brief 2014, Department of Statistics, Population Trends 2014

4. What are your opinions on fertility issues?

5. Part 2: Changing Trends 1. Perceived high cost of living
Changing Ideals of Marriage
Restructuring of work in the economy
Empowerment of Women
Delayed Marriages
Raising Family
Part 2: Changing Trends
1. Perceived high cost of living
2. Cost of raising children
1. Financial constraints
2. Achieved pre-marriage milestones such as career & saving enough money to buy a house
1. Focus on careers
2. Rising female employment
1. Dual roles for women as mother and employee
2. Inflexible work culture
1. Searching for “Mr/Mrs Right”
2. Rising Singlehood
AsianParent.com estimated around $340,000
The Marriage and Parenthood Survey (2012)
Sources: Yap Mui Teng and Christopher Gee (May 2014), Population Outcomes: Singapore Available at Gavin Jones, “Late marriage and low fertility in Singapore: the limits of policy”, The Japanese Journal of Population, 10(1), March 2012; Straughan, P. T., 2011, “Not Yet Married – The Implications of Meanings of Marriage on Youths in Singapore”, Hong Kong Journal of Youth Studies 14(1):

6. Same-sex Relationship
Part 2: Changing Trends
Same-sex Relationship
Single Parents
Views on Cohabitation
Some Singaporeans feel there are moral grounds to accept alternative arrangements like gay marriage
(Our Singapore Conversation Secretariat)
Almost half of the respondents considered co-habitation to be acceptable
(Institute of Policy Studies, 2013)
Source: Fiona Chan, “Creating a more welcoming home for all Singaporeans”, Straits Times, March 11, 2015
Source: shutterstock.com

7. What should policymakers consider for fertility policies?

8. Lower Cost of Living in Singapore
Part 3: Policies
Lower Cost of Living in Singapore
Childcare
Housing
Education
Housing Subsidies:
For 1st time married couples, those expecting children, and those with multiple children.
Education Subsidies:
From $156 per year for primary school to $300 per year for secondary school. Further financial assistance provided.
Childcare subsidies:
$3/month for full-day child care services or $60/month for full-day infant care services.
Source: Ministry of Education; Marriage and Parenthood Package 2013, Ministry of Education,

9. Part 3: Policies Policies to support parents in raising children
Enhanced Baby Bonus
Parenthood Tax Rebate
Government Paid Paternity Leave
Working Mothers Child Relief
Medical Care for Newborns
Grandparent Caregiver Relief
Subsidies for Centre-based Infant & Childcare
Extended Child and Infant Care Leave
Shared Parental Leave
Pro-family Housing Policy
Policies to support parents in raising children
Part 3: Policies
Check out
for the full measures that support work-life harmony
Source: Marriage and Parenthood Package 2015

10. Part 3: International Example
Sweden TFR at 1.9
> Monthly allowance for children until they turn 16 years.
> An extra supplement for family with more than one child which increases further with each additional child. Singapore government has implemented similar policies
> School for children aged 6-19 years is free, with free lunches.
> A gender equality bonus is given if 270 days of paid parental leave are split equally between the father and mother.
> 2 months of paid leave that cannot be transferred and another full year of leave, which can be shared or transferred.
> Parents on leave are paid 80% of their monthly salary for 80% of their total leave allowable, with a cap which is roughly $6,500. The balance 20% allowable leave is paid at a lower flat rate.
> High income tax rates at 56.9%. In contrast, the personal income tax rate in Singapore stands at 20%.
Sources: Ho Kwon Ping, “Europe’s baby bump holds lessons for S’pore”, Straits Times, March 5, 2015, reproduced from his lecture at the Institute of Policy Studies; tradingeconomics.com,

11. What do you think of the policies on fertility issues?