Case Study: Increasing population in Singapore

Question 1

Facts and figures

Answer 1

• Pop: 5 million people
• Lowest fertility rate of 1.1
• 36% of the Singapore population is made up of foreign nationals and in some sectors like industry, 80% of the workers are foreign
• From 1957 to 1965: fertility rate goes from 6.4 to 4.8 because government saw young people as a threat to living standards: not enough schools, hospitals => The “Stop At Two” was introduced:
  + extra taxes for 3rd chikd
  + no paid maternity leave for 3rd child
• Pro-natalist

Question 2

Policy includes

Answer 2

• In 1980s, children of female university graduates were offered places at best school and grant $700
• Tax rebates for 3rd child
• Subsidies for day care
• Priority in enrolling at the best schools
• Priority in gaining houses for large families
• Extended leave sick
• Singapore government has also sponsored dating organisations to encourage people to get married earlier and start having children.
• It has increased maternity leave by 50%

Question 3

Effects

Answer 3

• By 2050, pop will increase by 40%