July 28, 2020

While there was an increase in the number of registered births in Singapore, there has also been an increase in deaths, last year from 2018. Professor Jean Yeung explained, “the increase may reflect couples catching up after years of postponing child-bearing”. She also articulated that this could be because of greater subsidies provided by the Government to assist fertility treatments. CFPR Steering Committee Member Associate Professor Tan Ern Ser commented that due to Singapore’s rapidly ageing population, the increase in the number of deaths would be in an upward trajectory. The article highlights that the Government will continue to support Singaporeans by working with employers and subsidising pre-school, healthcare and housing costs.