A larger population of Singaporeans

Singapore has a low birth rate. We are among the fastest aging population in the world. Many families prefer to have fewer children.

Why?

They find it too costly to raise children. As jobs are uncertain and the cost of living is high, many people prefer to avoid this financial burden.

How can this be reversed?

We need a new approach. We have to shift the cost of raising a family from the individual to the community. Each person should be allowed to have up to two or three children with the cost being largely financed by the community.

This is the approach adopted in the Scandinavian countries. They have generous benefits for families that have children.

The measures that were adopted in Singapore during the past two decades have failed to produce the desired results. We need to try a new way.