Singapore's declining birth rate a cause for concern: SM Goh
-
SINGAPORE : Singapore's declining birth rate is a cause for concern as it will have a severe impact on the country's future and the Singaporean identity, says Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
He said that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will also address this problem at his National Day Rally on Sunday.
While he admitted that reversing the decline is not easy, Mr Goh revealed that the government will try again, not with bonuses or incentives this time, but by looking into making parenthood and raising a family easier.
Mr Goh was speaking at his constituency's annual National Day dinner on Saturday evening.
"Can Singapore be a viable city state which can prosper for another 100, 200 or 300 years or more? I believe we can," Mr Goh said.
And one of the reasons is Singapore's people.
Mr Goh said the problem was that Singaporeans were not replacing themselves, with fewer Singaporean babies born each year.
Some 35,500 babies were born here last year, compared to a high of nearly 56,000 when the country gained independence in 1965.
The number of births per female fell to 1.24 last year, compared to 4.66 in 1965 - meaning population growth is not fast enough to even replace both parents.
This trend is also evident in Mr Goh's constituency Marine Parade, where there were just 15,400 voters in the recent General Election, compared to 19,500 thirty years ago.
Said Mr Goh, "For our Chinese population, the situation is even graver. Now, I go back to 1957, the first year we had the data - there were 6.48 babies per Chinese female ... Last year, it was only 1.08 per Chinese female. And if it goes down to below 1.08 - and I think there's a danger it may do so - we will not even be replacing even the mother! Will Singapore last 100 years if local-born Singaporeans are becoming an endangered species?"
Mr Goh added that Singapore had no natural resources except its people, but with fewer babies and a declining fertility rate, this vital resource was not being renewed.
This would lead to problems in the future, with a lack of manpower, skills and young men to defend the country.
Mr Goh also made a plea to young couples who belonged to the "double income no kids" (DINKs) group.
Drawing from his personal experience, Mr Goh said, "My wife and I are fortunate that our son and daughter are not DINKs. They do not have a double income. My daughter is not working; my daughter-in-law is also not working, so no double income. They have three children each, which means my wife and I have six grandchildren - and they are all granddaughters. And because they are all granddaughters, there may be a chance that my son and his wife, my daughter and her husband may want a boy - or that's what I hope!"
But he reminded Singaporeans that this was a problem that could only be reversed by the people themselves, and not the government. - CNA /ct -
And SM Goh ain't talking about the SINKs(Single Income No Kids) loners. Why can't he be more progressive and think about single parenthood as a basic family?
-
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:
Remember what FAMILY means?
And SM Goh ain't talking about the SINKs(Single Income No Kids) loners. Why can't he be more progressive and think about single parenthood as a basic family?
Father
And
Mother
I
Love
You!
Single parent can consider to be family? You mean you can screw yourself and give birth in 9 months' time all by yourself? -
Question
Why www always post topics on population and economy de? -
Strong mandate solutions to date:
- find more 'reasons' to collect more money
- get more FT to replace all singaporeans
So, why worry. -
Maybe his interest in these 2 areas??Originally posted by laurence82:Question
Why www always post topics on population and economy de? -
Originally posted by www:
How ironic and irresponsible thing that he could say. The government planning and policy can affect decision too. Is he trying let the government sit one side to relax and push all the blame to singaporeans?
[b]But he reminded Singaporeans that this was a problem that could only be reversed by the people themselves, and not the government. - CNA /ct
[/b]
If I would to respond to his speech, I will tell him, even if I want to have kids, I will not do it in singapore!
-
Originally posted by www:
Singaporeans has one of the highest Saving Rates in the World, yet not enough Money to Retire, how to have extra Money to have Baby ? ?
SINGAPORE : Singapore's declining birth rate is a cause for concern as it will have a severe impact on the country's future and the Singaporean identity, says Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
But he reminded Singaporeans that this was a problem that could only be reversed by the people themselves, and not the government. - CNA /ct
[/b]
Who causes all these problems & where is the Root of these problems ? ?
Lao Goh Has Already Mastered His Tai Chi Upside Down ! ! -
Reading the article, makes me MAD!
They are the ones who are in charge of Family Planning from the beginning. They are the ones whom so many have fedback unfavorably of their Stop at 2 policy in the earlier decades. Why only just now begin to see that there's a problem in our Population Regeneration?
Why bother allowing for feedback when they don't bother to listen and always think they know BEST?
I mean they are up there, high in their ivory towers, they should be able to forsee such issues as Population Regeneration. Or have they just begun to wake up to their own reality created by their own policies? They haven't woken up enough yet - wait till the so many China nationals they allowed into Singapore start to give them MORE problems!
How on earth is it solely Singaporeans' problem to solve this decline in population? I mean, they sculpted our economy to such a costly one to live in, they should bluddy well help people raise children!
It seems they are always getting into U-turn situations... what progress??
So far, I only know that our government is only good at growing and taking good care of economy - but not the people that drives the economy.. -
Originally posted by www:
if only most singaporeans have to luxury to chose to be Single Income... But can we AFFORD it?!
Drawing from his personal experience, Mr Goh said, "My wife and I are fortunate that our son and daughter are not DINKs. They do not have a double income. My daughter is not working; my daughter-in-law is also not working, so no double income.
yeah, Singaporeans go solve our own problems. on top of that DONT give the gabramen problems! The only thing to give the gabramen is $$ and more $$
But he reminded Singaporeans that this was a problem that could only be reversed by the people themselves, and not the government. - CNA /ct
[/b] -
Why don't they go ahead and get their beloved FTs to provide babies?
Go ahead, and see what the outcome will be... -
Originally posted by www:
MY PROBLEM...??
SINGAPORE : Singapore's declining birth rate is a cause for concern as it will have a severe impact on the country's future and the Singaporean identity, says Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
He said that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will also address this problem at his National Day Rally on Sunday.
While he admitted that reversing the decline is not easy, Mr Goh revealed that the government will try again, not with bonuses or incentives this time, [b]but by looking into making parenthood and raising a family easier.
Mr Goh was speaking at his constituency's annual National Day dinner on Saturday evening.
"Can Singapore be a viable city state which can prosper for another 100, 200 or 300 years or more? I believe we can," Mr Goh said.
And one of the reasons is Singapore's people.
Mr Goh said the problem was that Singaporeans were not replacing themselves, with fewer Singaporean babies born each year.
Some 35,500 babies were born here last year, compared to a high of nearly 56,000 when the country gained independence in 1965.
The number of births per female fell to 1.24 last year, compared to 4.66 in 1965 - meaning population growth is not fast enough to even replace both parents.
This trend is also evident in Mr Goh's constituency Marine Parade, where there were just 15,400 voters in the recent General Election, compared to 19,500 thirty years ago.
Said Mr Goh, "For our Chinese population, the situation is even graver. Now, I go back to 1957, the first year we had the data - there were 6.48 babies per Chinese female ... Last year, it was only 1.08 per Chinese female. And if it goes down to below 1.08 - and I think there's a danger it may do so - we will not even be replacing even the mother! Will Singapore last 100 years if local-born Singaporeans are becoming an endangered species?"
Mr Goh added that Singapore had no natural resources except its people, but with fewer babies and a declining fertility rate, this vital resource was not being renewed.
This would lead to problems in the future, with a lack of manpower, skills and young men to defend the country.
Mr Goh also made a plea to young couples who belonged to the "double income no kids" (DINKs) group.
Drawing from his personal experience, Mr Goh said, "My wife and I are fortunate that our son and daughter are not DINKs. They do not have a double income. My daughter is not working; my daughter-in-law is also not working, so no double income. They have three children each, which means my wife and I have six grandchildren - and they are all granddaughters. And because they are all granddaughters, there may be a chance that my son and his wife, my daughter and her husband may want a boy - or that's what I hope!"
But he reminded Singaporeans that this was a problem that could only be reversed by the people themselves, and not the government. - CNA /ct
[/b]
WE ALWAYS WELCOME THE FEEDBACK and LISTEN TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO SAY.... -
World Class Gabramen.
World's highest paid Gabramen. (legalized corruption?)
Can't solve problems? Tells Citizens to go solve on ur own.
every mth they get pay dont feel pai sei ah?
-
coz i dont wanna see singaporeans multiply like hamster & rabbits just for the sake of doing so.Originally posted by laurence82:Question
Why www always post topics on population and economy de?
as i've mentioned in the other thread: its very hard to please 10 hungry men with only 2 plates of chicken rice. instead of having more food, why have more men?
its not an unusual sights to see many pathetic parents with their kids on the trains, inept of setting good examples and control their children. i mean why develop a society with more of such people around?
perhaps these parents are not to be blamed. perhaps the rat race lifestyle in singapore turn many into inconsiderate parents. perhaps the materialistic world deprive these parents to have patience in bring up their kids well.
whichever the reason it may be, i just dont like to see us having more babies just because we have a quota to meet.
i rather the future society comprises of lesser humans than more monkeys. -
Getting a child is way too expensive so no children is better
Anyway women getting sacked because of pregnancy is so common nowadays
Nobody is doing anything about it
I suggest we should start to "clone" people
-
"Mr Goh said, "My wife and I are fortunate that our son and daughter are not DINKs. They do not have a double income. My daughter is not working; my daughter-in-law is also not working, so no double income. They have three children each, which means my wife and I have six grandchildren - and they are all granddaughters. And because they are all granddaughters, there may be a chance that my son and his wife, my daughter and her husband may want a boy - or that's what I hope!"
But he reminded Singaporeans that this was a problem that could only be reversed by the people themselves, and not the government. "
I think the man has gone senile in his old age. With shrinking incomes and longer working hours, how the fuck are most of us going to raise kids on single incomes? Even double income is a problem for many.
I'm constantly amazed at how detached from reality the PAP idiots are. Of course its easy for them to reproduce like rabbits on their inflated paychecks.
Telling people to raise children while most are trying to make ends meet is morally reprehensible. -
concern?
I thought with that ending statement,it is more like it is none of my or PAP's concern,you guys go settle it yourself.........talk might as well dun talk if like that. -
Well, what he is saying is that ultimately, the choice is up to you, the individual, and your partner. The government can only make things easier, but you are the one who makes the decision; they can't legislate to force you to have children.Originally posted by SpeedStar:How ironic and irresponsible thing that he could say. The government planning and policy can affect decision too. Is he trying let the government sit one side to relax and push all the blame to singaporeans?
If I would to respond to his speech, I will tell him, even if I want to have kids, I will not do it in singapore!
People often like to blame government policies, but in my opinion, if you really love children and want to have children, you will be willing to make the necessary sacrifices, material and otherwise, for them. No one should cite high cost of living as an excuse. -
ermm love children and wanting to have lots of kids is different ok?Originally posted by dakkon_blackblade:Well, what he is saying is that ultimately, the choice is up to you, the individual, and your partner. The government can only make things easier, but you are the one who makes the decision; they can't legislate to force you to have children.
People often like to blame government policies, but in my opinion, if you really love children and want to have children, you will be willing to make the necessary sacrifices, material and otherwise, for them. No one should cite high cost of living as an excuse.
People will still love children and getting just one baby per couple may just fulfill that already,there is really no necessity to really go on for way more than what they can afford.End of the day the govt has to help out with the issue of cost.
if not you think that irresponsible parenting is good? Just because people love children,they should bear more and more without thinking if they can give a good enough raising for them,resulting in the parents and the kids all suffering in the end? -
This must be the start of the end of Singaporeans in Singapore.
-
I would prefer that he addresses employment security and birth rate issues together.
After the years of economic downturn and having seen so many people losing the job, almost every couple will want to maintain double income as first priority.
Economic downturn comes every few years. It will be a great diseaster if the next time we're hit, we have to face with "No Income, With Kids" situation. If that happens, is our government ready to face it? Or are we on our own?
Personally I won't risk that. -
Single parenthoodOriginally posted by Herzog_Zwei:And SM Goh ain't talking about the SINKs(Single Income No Kids) loners. Why can't he be more progressive and think about single parenthood as a basic family?
Talk easy, do difficult. -
bunz has a point...
these days, a lot of retrenchment and all these things going on... added to that, horror stories of pregnant women being fired because they're pregnant...
again, our gabrament has looked at things from the employer's point of view.. the helicopter point of view.. all those...
swans look graceful, but under the water is a pair of skinny legs kicking away furiously...
i would like to look at lau goh's "daughters who are not working".. i think, for today, unless someone in the family who is raking in megabucks, EVERYONE has to work.. maybe lau goh is now suffering from Ivory Tower Syndrome too... must be why his clothes are so white.. -
Yeh a lot os Asians are still in the "backward" mentality. Eg a life is only complete if you start a "family" etc.Originally posted by Aveme:ermm love children and wanting to have lots of kids is different ok?
People will still love children and getting just one baby per couple may just fulfill that already,there is really no necessity to really go on for way more than what they can afford.End of the day the govt has to help out with the issue of cost.
if not you think that irresponsible parenting is good? Just because people love children,they should bear more and more without thinking if they can give a good enough raising for them,resulting in the parents and the kids all suffering in the end?
I personally know a Malay chap who has 12 children and he earns only $1200 a month. Wife is of course taking care of the kids. He stays in Yishun (Anyone knows him? ) Now u wonder how he remembers all their b'days.....he is being plain selfish, thinking that more children means more prosperity.
A child is a liability. If a S'porean already owns a car, having another kid is like owning another car. If one has 2 kids, then make it 3 cars. The bloody baby bonus is nothing to trumpet about, govt shd wake up. Its payout is for the initial baby stage, what about life after that? Stupid people, really no brains.
Oh my, better stop.....turning into a whiner! -
I don't think it's irresponsible in any way. It's up to the couple whether they would like to have kids. If the couple choose not to, how much can the government help? Give incentives? Tighten regulations? Will all these help in the first place?Originally posted by SpeedStar:How ironic and irresponsible thing that he could say. The government planning and policy can affect decision too. Is he trying let the government sit one side to relax and push all the blame to singaporeans?
If I would to respond to his speech, I will tell him, even if I want to have kids, I will not do it in singapore!
Straits Times once reported that some couples feel that even if you give them incentives, they wouldn't want to have kids, because it's too costly. Even if the government is willing to give free food for the kids for the first few years, they still aren't willing to have. On the regulations part, companies are abusing it. A lot of women has been retrenched because they are pregnant and government can't really help, even with incentives in. Tightening of regulations won't help much either, as there will definitely be ways to bypass it. It's a matter of time.