Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday reiterated his worry that not enough Singaporeans are starting families. --PHOTO: ZAOBAO
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday reiterated his worry that not enough Singaporeans are starting families. Total fertility rate last year hit a new low of 1.23. For the Chinese community here, it was even lower at 1.09.
But falling birth rate is an issue faced by East Asian countries, he noted, and it is partly a result of changing values.
In China, young people, to avoid nagging from their parents, have resorted to 'renting' a boyfriend or girlfriend to take home during this new year period, Mr Lee observed.
'It's amusing, but it's also sad,' he said at a Chinese New Year dinner at his Teck Ghee constituency. 'I'm relieved there's no such reports in Singapore. I hope it doesn't happen.' Still, a little social pressure is useful but more importantly, parents and relatives need to encourage them and show them support.
Unmarried residents interviewed said they first needed to save enough and have a stable career before settling down and starting a family.
Said Mr Jason Quak, 28, an operations manager: 'Now you need money for everything, especially for a wedding.'
He and his 25-year-old girlfriend want to buy a flat in Ang Mo Kio, near his parents, but he is not confident he can find one within his budget of around $300,000.
