Singapore – Singapore's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) picked up slightly last year to 1.20, up from a historic low of 1.15 in 2010. The Prime Minister announced the figure on Saturday in his Chinese New Year message, which focused on the central role of families as anchors for identity and sense of belonging, and sources of support in good times and bad. Lee Hsien Loong also said: “I fervently hope that this year will be a big Dragon year for babies.” Lee spoke of the need to address fundamental factors standing in the way of Singaporeans having more children. “This is critical to preserve a Singapore core in our society. We do not want to rely more and more heavily on immigration, nor do we want to see our population shrinking year by year,” he said. Singapore's TFR has been on a downward trend and is way below the replacement level of 2.1. It fell from 1.60 in 2000 to 1.20 last year, despite government measures to encourage couples to have more children. The TFR for Chinese Singaporeans is lower, falling from 1.43 to 1.08 over the same period. Lee assured couples that the Government will do its part to reduce the burdens of parenthood, through measures such as the Baby Bonus, maternity and childcare leave, encouraging flexible work arrangements, making childcare more affordable and available, and a prompt supply of HDB flats. But he also emphasized that “the critical factor now is not more financial incentives but creating the supportive social climate and attitudes that will encourage couples to have more children.” Agreeing, Anita Fam, chairman of Marriage Central, said many couples delay marriage until they have an HDB flat and then worry about the costs of having children, education challenges and work-life balance. “Instead of having two or three kids, they may feel that they are only able to manage one. Only when we address these challenges specifically will the Singapore TFR increase,” she said. Lim Soon Hock, chairman of the National Family Council, said “all the key stakeholders must want to make family their No.1 priority so that it becomes the integral part of our community.” In his message, Lee said another important factor in couples' decision to have children is whether they have confidence in Singapore's future and that of the next generation. He said he was confident that, together, the Government and people can keep Singapore an inclusive, meritocratic society where “every child has the chance to realize his dreams.” On the economy, Lee said that with growth slowing this year and turbulence expected, families are even more critical today. The Government is strengthening social safety nets and broadening them to cover more families with difficulties. But it ‘cannot and should not do everything'. ‘Our families remain the first line of support. They can help where the Government cannot, due to the ties of kinship and love. That is why the Government will always help to nurture strong families in Singapore,' he said. He also urged all to look to the larger Singapore family, and for Chinese Singaporeans to include friends of other races, ethnic groups, new immigrants and the less fortunate in their celebrations. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/ici67 Tags: Babies, Fertility, Singapore Section: East Asia, Latest News, Women
