Singapore to provide families with $55,000 per child to boost birth rate



08/25/2026 3:20 AM


Singapore has introduced a series of initiatives designed to motivate families to increase their number of children, providing parents with more than $55,000 for each child. The city-state faces a decreasing birth rate, rendering it one of the fastest aging nations globally, as reported by the Financial Times.



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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong revealed a reassessment of the child benefit and parental leave program in his yearly speech on August 23. The government intends to implement steps to "facilitate Singaporeans who wish to have children in starting and nurturing families," he pointed out.

The population of Singapore is just above 6 million. In 2025, it recorded a historic low fertility rate of 0.87 children per woman, decreased from 0.97 in 2024. South Korea holds the world’s lowest rate at 0.8.

Demographers assert that a level of 2.1 is essential for sustaining a stable population without net immigration.

A decreasing birth rate, along with improvements in healthcare that are increasing life expectancy, has placed Singapore on course to become a "super-aging" society this year, characterized by the UN as a nation where over 21% of the population is aged 65 and above. By 2030, it's anticipated that one out of every four Singaporeans will achieve this threshold.

"We want all families to understand: should you choose to have children, the government supports you," Wong stated. "We will offer increased assistance for additional years."

source: ft.com

 


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