The reporter of the main station looks at the world! Hello everyone, I am Deng Xuemei, a reporter from the main station.
The overall fertility rate of Singaporeans has fallen to a historic low
On February 24, 2023, the Singapore government revealed in Parliament that the overall fertility rate of Singapore's residents in 2022 fell to a record low of only 1.05. The overall fertility rate refers to the average number of children born per couple. Internationally, 2.1 is usually used as the replacement level, and fertility rates below 1.5 are called "very low fertility rates". At the same time, life expectancy is increasing, with a quarter of Singaporeans expected to be aged 65 and above by 2030, posing a huge demographic challenge. Today I will talk to you about Singapore's birth rate and birth encouragement policy.
Newborns at a maternity and child hospital in Singapore
Singapore's total fertility rate has been on a downward trend since 1980. It is no exaggeration to describe the fertility rate as an "eternal pain in the chest" of the Singapore government. Singapore's population is 5.64 million, of which 4.07 million are citizens and permanent residents, and 1.57 million are non-residents. Over the past decade, the number of citizens and permanent residents has increased by only 300,000, but the number of citizens over 65 has increased by 410,000. If this phenomenon continues, it will have a profound impact on Singapore's future labor market, pension payment problems, and spending power.
Young people exercising in a street square in Singapore
Recently, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a speech on the future of the country: "Although the decline (of fertility) is a long-term trend, we cannot give up. We need to create a good environment, a better social environment and a correct national spirit, so that Singaporeans will want to settle down and have children. ”
Singapore has introduced a number of subsidy policies to encourage childbirth
In fact, in order to encourage childbirth, the Singapore government introduced a cash subsidy policy several years ago and has been constantly adjusted. This year's Budget announces that babies born on or after February 14 will receive a cash bonus of S$3,000. The subsidy for Singaporean couples giving birth to their first and second children was raised to S$11,000 (about 56,600 yuan) in cash, and the bonus from S$10,000 to S$13,000 (about 69,000 yuan) for the birth of a third or more children.
The Singapore government has established a variety of childcare subsidies
In addition to the one-off subsidy, the Singapore government has established a wide range of childcare subsidies, the most important of which are the Child Development Account and the Newborn Health Save Grant. That is, giving birth to a child can get a subsidy of about 120,000 yuan, and the proportion of subsidies for giving birth will increase.
However, despite various incentives, Singapore's birth rate has not increased. There is a view that the high cost of living is the deep-seated reason. To this end, the Singapore Government, while encouraging childbirth, has extended paternity leave to four weeks for fathers of newborns from next year.
Singapore increases the number of paternity leave days for newborn fathers
In addition, couples with many children have priority when applying for public housing by the Government. The Government also plans to introduce guiding principles on flexible working arrangements by 2024 at the latest, requiring enterprises to give fair and reasonable consideration to employees' requests for flexible working. The purpose is to reduce family pressure, let both husband and wife share the responsibility of childcare, and increase women's willingness to have children.
Singapore has introduced a number of measures to cope with the ageing
On the one hand, it is to encourage childbirth, and on the other hand, it is also necessary to face the problem of aging. Singapore's latest Healthy Singapore initiative will shift the focus from treating diseases to preventing diseases, such as allowing people to choose a fixed family doctor to manage their health and avoid spending a lot of money on treatment when they are seriously ill, which is a reform that has far-reaching significance for Singapore's society to age.
Singapore launches wellness plan
At the same time, the government has further clarified the post-retirement age, adjusted the provident fund payment method, and accelerated economic transformation to boost the post-pandemic economy to get rid of the vicious circle of low fertility.
The above is the observation of Deng Xuemei, a reporter from the main station, in Singapore.
The author of this issue of "The Main Station Reporter Sees the World" is Deng Xuemei, a reporter of the main station
(From the Voice of China column "Main Station Reporter Sees the World" column)
Executive producer丨Zhang Chengxia
Reporter丨Deng Xuemei
Editor丨Du Yuting
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