Sunday, December 17, 2017

Continuing decline in birth rate

The government has been trying to increase the birth rate in Singapore for the past three decades. The failed miserably and the birthrate continue to decline.

What are the main reasons for the continuing decline? I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd.

Three factors accounted for 98% of the votes.

You can view the breakdown of the votes in
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=407

2 comments:

Yujuan said...

An interesting article popped up about the higher fertility rate of a Nordic country. Many unmarried couples have children, and these illegitimate kids enjoy same status in social welfare benefits for both mother and child.
Single mothers have various reasons to have kids out of marriage, high time to ditch Victorian era principles and help them financially to bring up their kids.
As broadminded Catholics, we prefer the lesser of the two sins, unwed, pregnant women bring a life to fruition, rather than killing it through abortion.
Hopefully Singapore would not become the oldest country in the world, Every child is precious. Have to cling on every straw in desperate times., and we are in desperate times.
First start with free childcare, many women prefer working than to be laden with childcare burden. Singapore is the 2nd richest country in the world, be less stingy, open wallet and spend on our next generation. Ditch a penny wise, pounds foolish stingy policy.
Already proven birth incentives have failed miserably. Women want more carefree life. Population woes is at critical, precarious stage, worth attention to solve, rather than spending time on fixing political opponents' views.
It's worth the investment on procreation.

Yujuan said...

Hope the male dominated industry and Govt leaders listen more to ordinary women.
First study female mind. Women holds the power to procreate, very quietly and subtly the male loses out in this game, reasons aplenty.
First male sperm declining in quality and quantity worldwide. Women can say it's not entirely my fault, and they shun the messy fertility treatments, taxing on the wife.
In this image conscious and materialistic society, esp in Singapore, being a yellow faced woman stuck at home with kids is off putting, losing prestige and dignity. My daughter in law desperately dying to return to work when her child is not even one year old. She wants to continue to look fashionable and work outside, though almost all pay goes to childcare, clothes, make up, transport, entertainment and meals at work.
One estate broker friend lamented his wife told him the family factory is closed, and he wants a son after two daughters. His mother is not happy.
Now, this grandmother dun want to look after grand kids, want to travel and enjoy life, exercise, continue working and make more money to fund retirement, aiming to live till 100 years old, who cares about the family line.
Some Companies discriminate against pregnant female employees, dun say this dun happen, it does, and this affects career conscious women.
Govt must wake up and focus on the women. The cost of having children is scary in finance and commitment on her part. Easy for Govt female Ministers to say nonchalantly, you only need a small room to have sex and children. Not all women are as rich as these fortunate female leaders able to engage one/two maids to look after kids and do housework, another two maids for each set of grandparents.
If the woman says no, no point talking about giving more paternity leave to the man.
We are talking about female emancipation. She could take birth control secretly without the husband's knowledge. Attitudes are changing fast.
Maybe one option is the man could turn house husband, reversing roles.
Workable in Asia?
Maybe could blame the Govt educating our women too well, or like what LKY once blurted out mistresses should be permitted to add to the procreation process.
Or the Govt refuse to admit all these years it is barking up the wrong tree. Strange nobody dares to propose a COI and have a debate nationwide. Guess no one dares to voice out criticisms, fearing to offend Govt, and be sued.










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