Population Strategies

Sir, to sustain the population of a country, a birth rate of at least 2.1 children per woman is needed. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of Resident Singaporeans stands at 1.14 as at 2019. This is the lowest registered in Singapore so far.

Developed countries all over the world struggle with low birth rates.

A case in mind is South Korea, the TFR of which is consistently one of the lowest, if not the lowest in the world. Since 2006, South Korea was reported to have spent almost S$240 billion on mostly cash schemes such as medical subsidy for every pregnant woman; cash for each baby born and for raising the child till he is one; and a monthly allowance for families with children under the age of 7. However, South Korea too suffers from its lack-lustre TFE due to the people’s lack of desire to marry and alternate lifestyle choices.

It is obvious that external ‘ outside-in’ strategies such as cash incentives will have to be balanced with a strong dose of ‘inside-out’ efforts to shift social mindsets.

I support the approach of “Different Strokes for Different Folks”. I seek the favourable consideration of the Government of the following suggestions to both increase TFR and our resident Singapore population.

To encourage EARLIER MARRIAGE, consider:

  • Offer free services and grants to organisations with larger staff sizes and especially gender-dominant workplaces (respectfully) to create opportunities for interaction eg in sports, learning or interest clubs.

To encourage PARENTHOOD, consider the following measures:

  • For Couples who are ‘willing’ and ‘able to conceive’ (no problem) –

    • Introduce even more generous housing priority benefits (for second-time applicants too) and assure couples of an interim rental flat;

    • Provide free universal infant-care and childcare up to the age of 7

  • For Couples who are ‘willing’ and ‘unable to conceive’ or have difficulty in conceiving –

    • Provide a range of support measures of fertility care and education;

    • Study carefully and consider addition of new fertility techniques such as egg freezing into the slew of assisted reproduction measures

  • For Couples who are ‘able to conceive’ but reluctant or ‘unwilling’ –

    • Provide respectful and effective platforms for more ‘inside-out’ education and sharing (dare I say, ‘counselling’) services to consider parenthood

Liberalise Migration Policy through better support of Transnational Families with one Singapore Citizen parent.

Sir, I am deeply empathic to residents of mine who are affected by the very strict, I know well-intended, immigration decisions of our Government.

  • Qin Hao, the stepson of my resident, came to Singapore only in his teens when his mother remarried here.. He tried very hard to catch up with his English proficiency and worked hard in school and as a community volunteer. I helped supported part of his ITE education but alas, he had to leave Singapore once he reached 21 because he was likely considered to be not the desired candidate for PR or citizenship. His mother, brother and stepfather are all Singaporeans. They are now separated.

  • In other cases, foreign women either WIDOWED or ABANDONED by their Singapore spouses with children, are not assured of their stay in Singapore when they apply for PR or SCs due to our strict migration policies. They have either a mix of children born locally and/or children from their past marriages.

    I seek the Government’s careful consideration to include them and their children as resident Singaporeans. The burden and stress they have to pay sometimes in the form of very high school fees and healthcare costs should be relieved.

  • I propose that there be more flexibility and leniency in granting both PR and citizenship to families such as these.

Denise Phua

26 Feb 2021

Community, Education, Parliament, MPDenise Phua