In a recent radio show by MONEY FM 89.3, Ang Mo Kio GRC Member of Parliament Darryl David said he hasn’t encountered any couple citing high cost as a deterrent to starting a family and having children.
The radio show was part of REACH and the MOF’s Pre-Budget Feedback Exercise on Budget themes such as caring for the vulnerable, young families and support for businesses.
However, if MP David had bothered to find out about the results of the Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Survey commissioned by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), he would have known that 61% of the respondents have cited financial cost as the top reason they do not want to have any or more children.
The survey was conducted 3 years ago by the National Population and Talent Division of PMO so as to understand public attitudes and perceptions toward marriage and parenthood.
Since MP David has not encountered anyone, including himself, citing high cost as a deterrent to have children, he must be quite well-to-do himself since he already has 2 children.