Singapore youth aware of falling birth rate, study finds, but 40% in ‘no rush’ to marry

A student from Raffles Institution, Lau Jia Hern, 18, asked how the Government could help citizens build families by focusing on psychological and social barriers rather than financial grants and leave.

Ms Indranee replied that the survey showed that youth placed policies and grants at the bottom of their priorities.

The survey showed respondents prioritised the cost of living and housing (18.94 per cent), finding a partner (16.75 per cent), and personal readiness (15.43 per cent) over government support schemes, which were cited by fewer than 4 per cent.

Ms Indranee said the government would do its part and added that what young people really wanted was personal stability – a good job, steady income, and being able to afford a home – before considering starting a family.

She highlighted that public housing remains highly subsidised, accessible, and affordable through grants.

Ms Indranee said: “Doing some thinking about planning for your future, and making sure that you have the assurance of income and a financial safety net is very important.”

Ms Goh said her ministry was creating dedicated physical hangout spaces across Singapore where youth can meet and build a sense of belonging.

Other questions raised touched on the anxieties of the “sandwich generation”, career trade-offs, and how the Government will manage the financial burden of an aging population without passing it on to the next generation.

Ms Indranee and Ms Goh pointed to state support helping seniors age independently and with dignity through initiatives like Healthier SG, and housing policies that support families living within the same precinct to make caregiving more manageable.

Ms Indranee added that Singapore’s long-term sustainability is reinforced by fiscal policies and the national reserves.

A Singapore Management University student had questioned whether a declining fertility rate is an inevitable and necessary trade-off for a city-state development, and asked if a competitive culture naturally suppresses family growth.

Ms Goh said that open, early communication with employers can help mitigate workplace penalties when a mother takes maternity leave, but a strong domestic partnership is equally essential.

Ms Indranee challenged the idea that competition must inherently paralyse youth, and said the Government will continue to create diverse pathways to help youth progress.

“If we take that step back and see it in that perspective, then the competition may not worry us so much, because we know that no matter which route you take, there is a way to get to where you want to be,” she said.

Closing the session, a student from Singapore Polytechnic asked what roles the youths can play to adapt to these looming demographic shifts.

Ms Goh urged youth to step forward as organic community organisers to foster human empathy and connection. “Investing in your own personal relationships… is what really outlasts even your career.”

Mr Lau said the dialogue helped him understand that subsidies are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a part of many layers.

“Everything is interlinked, like personal readiness, commitment, and finances,” he said. “As much as the Government can provide, it’s also on our part to truly understand what we are looking for and how we can help ourselves in terms of financial planning.”