February 27, 2026

With demographic trends shifting in Singapore, the rise of non-traditional households such as DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) has become increasingly common. Against this backdrop of changing family structures and an ageing population, critical concerns have emerged regarding the support networks available to childless individuals.  

In societies where adult children traditionally play a central role in later-life care, older individuals without children often face unique challenges. They are more likely to experience social isolation, lack informal care, and suffer from poorer physical and mental health, ultimately being at a higher risk of institutionalisation and premature death. As such, it is crucial to explore support structures for the childless, especially in a familistic society like Singapore. 

In ‘Childlessness, Social Network Profiles in Midlife and Late Adulthood, and Their Implications for Subjective Well-being’ (The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2024), Associate Professor Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Dahye Kim (NUS Centre for Family and Population Research), and Christine Ho (SMU School of Economics) examined the social network profiles of childless adults in Singapore.  

Through a latent class analysis on a 2022 nationwide survey of 1500 Singaporeans aged 50 and above, the researchers identified five distinct network types, ranging from diverse, parental presence networks to highly restricted ones. The diverse, parental presence network type is characterised by material and affectual support with kin and non-kin, and active involvement in community and religious activities, while the highly restricted network type is characterised by consistently low probabilities of support and social participation. These network types are influenced by sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.  

Interestingly, despite the assumption that childlessness leads to greater social vulnerability, the researchers found that many childless Singaporeans maintain well-structured, non-child-based networks that serve their needs effectively. Factors such as older age, foreign-born status, lack of religious affiliation, and poor physical health are associated with increased likelihood of restricted networks, while having multiple siblings and higher education led to well-endowed network constellations.  

As childlessness becomes increasingly prevalent, the traditional reliance on family support systems may no longer suffice. Policymakers must consider alternative social structures and programs that strengthen non-kin networks and community participation. Promoting such support systems could be instrumental in ensuring that the well-being of childless individuals in later life is not compromised by their lack of children, offering them a better quality of life in their ageing years. 

Read the article here.