December 10, 2018

While raising a child is no easy feat, especially when taking financial expenses into account, monetary concerns are not the only factor behind declining fertility rates in Singapore. NUS Visiting Professor of Economics Tilak Abeysinghe discusses his recent study on marriage and childbearing trends in Singapore, which found that an increase in singles and late marriages also contributes to lower fertility rates. In particular, Prof Abeysinghe’s study revealed a significant link between female higher education and childbearing.

The study indicates that female higher education accounts for an increase in the ages at which women get married and give birth. However, the study also explains the positive effects that female higher education can have on marriage and childbearing. The participation of degree-holding women in the workforce also means an increase in income, making childbearing more affordable.

Looking at these various aspects of marriage and fertility in relation to female higher education, Prof Abeysinghe opines that we focus on how to nudge university educated women to marry, and to do so at a young age. He clarifies that zeroing in on such a group is necessary only because university educated women are a population more likely to remain single, or marry late.

Read “Boost fertility? Nudge educated women to marry, and marry young” here.