Singapore is taking measures to avert a demographic crisis by providing over S$60,000 ($47,000) in support for every citizen child from birth to age 17:
- The package includes lower childcare fees, expanded parental leave, and greater housing priority for first-time families.
- Experts say sustained support could give parents more certainty than one-off baby bonuses.
- However, they warn that money alone will not reverse the decline.
The city-state recently unveiled a series of new measures aimed at removing obstacles to having children:
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong described the effort as "more than incremental improvements" and stated that the government aims to make a fundamental shift in how it supports families.
Singapore's total fertility rate dropped to 0.87 in 2025, now the second lowest in the world.
This new approach recognizes that the financial and time costs of raising children continue for many years.
