Loss of earnings lead to less babies

The Institue of Public POlicy Research in the UK pubished a report. Many families delay having children, because women prefer to work and to earn an income. The cost of raising a child, ie the loss of earnings, is too high.

When they decide to have a baby later, it is too late. The women are less fertile. It was difficult to have a child at an older age.

This problem is faced in Singapore and in other countries. The problem in Singapore is probably worse.

What is the solution?

I have a radical proposal.

- give the mother $500 a child each month, until the child is 12 years old
- this is limited to 2 children per mother
- give free or subsidised further education to mother with 2 children

The cost of raising 2 children in each family will be borne by society. This gives an attractive option for some mothers to raise a family first, before they embark on a working career later.

I think that some countries, eg in Scandinavia, has adopted a bold approach and seem to be more successful in encouraging their people to have more children.