Birth rates of all races dip to below replacement levels

POST- NATIONAL DAY RALLY
Straits Times, 24 August 2006

BIRTH rates have been falling before replacement levels, despite the government's incentives to have larger families. There has been the reinforcement throughtout these weeks underlining the need to redouble efforts at attracting more immigrants and retainging ties with overseas Singaporeans to boost population figures. We have had 30 years of under-replacement. The many measures in the $300 million package include longer maternity leave, more cash incentives, five-day work week, seem to motivate few. I agree strongly with Ms Ong that children are a life-commitment. I do feel that the incentives the government provides to encourage an average of 4 children in a household is insufficient to alleviate the long-term expenses of having a child or more children. The cash incentives will only benefit the couple in the child's early stage of life. However, the family management within a big family, having many mouths to feed is not being aided. In addition, some people such as i are still stuck on the old beliefs. The government had many campaigns in the post-war era to stick to the maiximum of 2 children. I find this still relevant to me. Two children is the best number. I find it rather unfair to some families to have 5 children while other couples decide to have no children. I believe this the is main problem. If every couple were to have 2 children, the population will be averaged out. Hence, i believe it is the whole community's effort that is needed and not only a family's effort. Of course, i still believe that the package has its advantages as it is like a starter kit to help you get started on planning instead of just sitting on the fence.