Politics
Panelists call for holistic and long-term policy changes to boost Singapore’s fertility rate
A panel discussion from the Progress Singapore Party on Singapore’s declining fertility rate explored challenges in housing, work-life balance, and transnational marriages. Panelists called for long-term policy changes, including affordable housing, flexible work, and inclusive family policies, to create a more supportive environment for parenthood.
A Progress Singapore Party (PSP) panel discussion titled “From BTO to Baby Boom: Reimagining Our Family Policies to Improve TFR” convened experts, policymakers, and professionals to address Singapore’s declining total fertility rate (TFR), which fell to 0.97 in 2023, well below the replacement-level rate of 2.1 needed to sustain the population.
Hosted by Wendy Low, Chair of the Women’s Wing of PSP, the event on Wednesday (26 Feb) explored the challenges of starting a family and potential policy interventions to support Singaporeans in parenthood.
In her opening remarks, Low highlighted the significant drop in Singapore’s TFR over the years.
“From my grandparents’ generation of having six to eight children, my parents’ generation followed the ‘Stop at Two’ policy. Today, I have two cats and two chickens,” she quipped.
She also noted concerns that technological advancements and global talent mobility have raised questions about whether population growth remains necessary.
However, the panel operated under the firm belief that maintaining a stable Singaporean core is crucial for the nation’s future.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Chairman of PSP, shared insights from his experience as a medical practitioner and politician.
He recalled how the Stop at Two policy in the 1970s led to resistance from families and doctors alike.
He expressed concern that current policies might not be doing enough to reverse the downward trend in birth rates.
“Back then, people had large families, even if they were poor. Today, the challenges are different, but we need to address why young Singaporeans are hesitant to have children,” he said.
Dr Tan warned that Singapore is facing an “existential problem” if birth rates remain low, questioning how the country will maintain a strong local workforce and support an aging society.
“We need to discuss how to get Singaporeans who love children to have more of them,” he urged, calling for long-term structural solutions beyond financial incentives.
The Role of Housing and Financial Stability
Ku Swee Yong, CEO of International Property Advisor, provided an analysis of housing affordability.
He highlighted how high Build-To-Order (BTO) flat prices and long mortgage commitments deter young couples from starting families.
He proposed removing land costs from BTO pricing, allowing couples to save on long-term financial commitments and encouraging homeownership earlier in life.
“A young couple paying $230 less per month on their mortgage could instead invest in raising a child,” he argued.
Stephanie Tan, a former legal counsel turned homemaker, echoed concerns about financial pressure.
She emphasised that beyond monetary costs, the mental and emotional burden of parenting plays a significant role in family planning decisions.
“The competitive education system, work stress, and societal expectations all weigh heavily on parents,” she noted.
Challenges in Transnational Marriages
Sani Ismail, Managing Director of Deesolo International, shed light on the struggles faced by Singaporeans in transnational marriages.
He pointed out that foreign spouses often receive Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP) instead of permanent residency, which limits their employment and access to medical benefits.
“If we truly want to encourage Singaporeans to have families, we need to make it easier for foreign spouses to integrate into society,” he said, advocating for changes in employment rights and medical cost subsidies.
Encouraging Parenthood Through Inclusive Family Structures
Dr Jade Kua, founder of Jade Life & Wellness Coaching Academy and a mother of six, spoke about the importance of redefining family structures.
She urged Singaporeans to embrace non-traditional families, including blended families, same-sex parents, and those who conceive through assisted reproductive technologies.
“If we want to increase birth rates, we need to foster a more accepting and supportive environment for all families,” she said.
Anisa Hassan, founder of Date High Flyers, addressed the issue of marriage as a precursor to parenthood.
As a professional matchmaker, she noted that many singles struggle to find compatible partners due to unrealistic expectations and societal pressures.
“People delay marriage because they’re waiting for the ‘perfect’ situation—career stability, homeownership, financial security. By the time they feel ready, it may be too late biologically,” she observed.
Policy Recommendations and Future Considerations
The panelists proposed several policy measures to improve Singapore’s fertility rate, including:
- Flexible work arrangements: Making remote and part-time work more accessible to support working parents.
- Expanded parental support: Increasing childcare subsidies and extending parental leave policies.
- Education reform: Reducing academic pressure by making the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) optional.
- Housing affordability: Lowering BTO prices by removing land costs and offering rental options before homeownership.
- Foreign spouse integration: Granting permanent residency to foreign spouses sooner to provide stability for transnational families.
Dr Tan proposed that the government consider buying insurance for every Singaporean child up to university level as a long-term investment in the nation’s future. “Instead of one-time baby bonuses, why not ensure every child’s health and education are covered?” he suggested.
Beyond Incentives, a Mindset Shift is Needed
As the From BTO to Baby Boom panel discussion came to a close, the speakers reflected on the key takeaways and reiterated the urgency of addressing Singapore’s demographic challenges with more than just short-term solutions.
Dr Tan highlighted that while government incentives such as baby bonuses and tax rebates help ease the financial burden of raising children, they are insufficient without deeper structural changes.
“We cannot simply throw money at the problem and expect more babies,” he said.
“Young couples need to feel secure—whether in their jobs, their homes, or their long-term future—before they will even consider having more children.”
He proposed a long-term commitment from the government, such as state-funded insurance for children up to university level, as a way to reduce parental anxieties.
A Whole-Society Approach: Community and Cultural Mindset Shifts
Dr Jade Kua reinforced the idea that societal attitudes towards family and parenting need to evolve.
She emphasised the importance of normalising help-seeking behaviour, encouraging both parents—especially fathers—to be more involved in caregiving, and fostering a culture where families of all structures feel included.
“If we are rigid in defining what a ‘proper’ family looks like, we alienate those who are willing to raise children in different circumstances,” she said.
Sani Ismail echoed this point, adding that transnational families must also be part of the equation.
He argued that policies making it easier for foreign spouses to integrate into Singaporean society—through permanent residency, job opportunities, and fair medical costs—would encourage more Singaporeans in cross-national marriages to start families.
“Singaporeans who marry foreigners shouldn’t feel like they’re taking on an additional bureaucratic burden just to have children,” he stated.
Policies Need to be Long-Term and Flexible
As the discussion wrapped up, Wendy Low summarised the panel’s consensus: Singapore’s declining fertility rate is not a simple economic problem but a social and structural challenge requiring long-term commitment from both the government and society.
Key takeaways from the panel included:
- Housing affordability must improve: Reducing land costs for BTO flats or offering mortgage reductions tied to childbirth could make homeownership less of a burden.
- Work-life balance should be prioritised: Employers should adopt flexible work arrangements that allow parents, especially mothers, to remain in the workforce while raising children.
- Education stress needs to be reduced: Making PSLE optional and promoting alternative educational pathways could ease family anxieties.
- Transnational marriages should be better supported: Foreign spouses should have a clearer path to residency, employment, and healthcare benefits.
- Cultural attitudes must shift: Parenthood should be seen as a community-supported effort, with more inclusive definitions of family structures.
The panel agreed that improving Singapore’s fertility rate is a long-term challenge that requires continuous adaptation.
As Ku Swee Yong put it, “We need to stop treating TFR like a short-term problem and start investing in a sustainable future.”
The event concluded with a call for further discussions and collaborative policymaking to ensure that Singapore remains a family-friendly nation.
