{"id":46343,"date":"2026-04-22T00:56:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=46343"},"modified":"2026-04-22T00:56:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:56:51","slug":"pm-wong-addresses-ntu-students-concerns-on-rising-cost-of-living-falling-birth-rates-ai-disruption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=46343","title":{"rendered":"PM Wong addresses NTU students&#8217; concerns on rising cost of living, falling birth rates &#038; AI disruption"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">PM Wong outlines how Singapore plans to stay resilient, and what youth can do to keep up<\/h2>\n<p>Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong recently answered questions from students at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), addressing concerns ranging from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/963757323074068\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rising cost of living to falling birth rates and the impact of artificial intelligence<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cAsk Me Anything\u201d video was shared on Sunday (19 April) as a follow-up to his visit for the Ministerial Forum on 2 April, where not all student questions could be addressed.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F963757323074068%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=267&amp;t=0\" width=\"267\" height=\"591\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>\u2018Stay curious\u2019: Preparing for an unpredictable world<\/h3>\n<p>Responding to concerns about growing global uncertainty, Mr Wong acknowledged that the world is becoming more fragmented and complex.<\/p>\n<p>Still, he encouraged young people to view this uncertainty as an opportunity rather than a setback.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-720852 aligncenter lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.29.08.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1946\" height=\"1288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.29.08.png 1946w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.29.08-600x397.png 600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.29.08-1024x678.png 1024w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.29.08-150x99.png 150w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.29.08-1536x1017.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1946px) 100vw, 1946px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1946px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1946\/1288;\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe world is indeed becoming more unpredictable. But at the same time, new opportunities are opening up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He urged students to stay curious, keep learning, and be open to non-linear paths to success.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>The path to excellence is never straight. But it\u2019s the journey that makes us better and stronger.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>Cost of living: \u2018No one will have to go through this alone\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>On rising living costs \u2014 worsened by global tensions, including developments in the Middle East \u2014 Mr Wong acknowledged the real pressure faced by households.<\/p>\n<p>He pointed to recently introduced government support measures such as cash payouts and CDC vouchers, alongside other forms of assistance for households and businesses.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<iframe id=\"answers-client-69e7a5f47d4a2\" class=\"answers-client\" src=\"\" height=\"500\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_720917\" style=\"width: 1450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-720917\" class=\"size-full wp-image-720917 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cdc-voucher.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cdc-voucher.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cdc-voucher-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cdc-voucher-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cdc-voucher-150x150.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1440px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1440\/1440;\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-720917\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Abundance on Facebook<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe must be mentally prepared for energy prices to stay high for some time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, he emphasised the importance of collective resilience.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>No one will have to go through this alone. We will overcome the challenges together.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>Falling fertility rates: Beyond financial incentives<\/h3>\n<p>Singapore\u2019s declining birth rate remains a key concern, and Mr Wong noted that it reflects a broader global trend.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond financial incentives, he said the government is taking steps to make starting a family more viable and appealing.<\/p>\n<p>These include improving access to childcare and preschool, strengthening parental leave policies, and enhancing housing support for young couples.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_720920\" style=\"width: 1510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-720920\" class=\"size-full wp-image-720920 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/young-couple-family.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/young-couple-family.png 1500w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/young-couple-family-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/young-couple-family-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/young-couple-family-150x100.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1500\/1000;\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-720920\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Winnie Bruce from Studio South Korea on Canva, for illustration purposes only<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe are doing everything we can in Singapore to build a society where young Singaporeans feel confident about settling down and raising families,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He added that the government will continue engaging stakeholders and reviewing further measures where needed.<\/p>\n<h3>Future economy: From manufacturing to AI<\/h3>\n<p>Addressing questions on which industries Singapore is prioritising, Mr Wong said the country already has a diversified economy with \u201cmultiple engines of growth\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He outlined a \u201ctwo-pronged\u201d strategy to keep Singapore competitive in an uncertain global landscape.<\/p>\n<p>This includes strengthening existing sectors such as advanced manufacturing, finance, and logistics, while investing in emerging areas like artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and sustainability.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur aim is simple . . . to strengthen our value proposition in a changing world, and ultimately to create more good jobs for Singaporeans.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Why AI matters, and how students can stay relevant<\/h3>\n<p>On why the Government is investing heavily in AI and how students can stay relevant in the long term, Mr Wong said the technology will have far-reaching impact across industries.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>AI will reshape every industry, whether we like it or not.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Rather than remaining \u201cpassive users of technology\u201d, he encouraged Singaporeans to become \u201cproactive\u201d and \u201cproductive users\u201d of AI tools.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_720864\" style=\"width: 1984px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-720864\" class=\"size-full wp-image-720864 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.39.12.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1974\" height=\"1286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.39.12.png 1974w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.39.12-600x391.png 600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.39.12-1024x667.png 1024w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.39.12-150x98.png 150w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-11.39.12-1536x1001.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1974px) 100vw, 1974px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1974px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1974\/1286;\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-720864\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Lawrence Wong on Facebook<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>For students concerned about future job prospects, he highlighted continuous learning and adaptability as key.<\/p>\n<p>While what they are studying today still matters, he said the ability to keep upgrading skills over time will be even more important.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo long as you build strong fundamentals and make full use of the opportunities to upgrade yourself through life, you will stay ahead and be ready for whatever comes in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wong-youth-photos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">From mullets to motorcycles: PM Lawrence Wong provides glimpse into his 90s youth<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"sAtlSR52ta\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wong-youth-photos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">From mullets to motorcycles: PM Lawrence Wong provides glimpse into his 90s youth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cFrom mullets to motorcycles: PM Lawrence Wong provides glimpse into his 90s youth\u201d \u2014 MS News - Independent News For Singaporeans\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wong-youth-photos\/embed\/#?secret=DlRp4VLxOH#?secret=sAtlSR52ta\" data-secret=\"sAtlSR52ta\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><em>Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/lawrence-wong-ntu-questions\/mailto:news@mustsharenews.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news@mustsharenews.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Featured image adapted from Lawrence Wong on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LawrenceWongST\/posts\/pfbid02eQfZYyJx3SiGLWckpto7EdCjLwZYqmC9i2xHYNnNkPbpXqsnMf2pd6jHWhdMavNwl?rdid=0ySxrNnwU3e8y4rI#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 --><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js?ver=6.8.3#xfbml=1&amp;version=v3.2\" id=\"facebook-js\"><\/script><script>\n!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\nn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\nif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\nn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\nt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\ns.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\nfbq('init', '1213643350275810');\nfbq('track', 'PageView');\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/lawrence-wong-ntu-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PM Wong outlines how Singapore plans to stay resilient, and what youth can do to keep up Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong recently answered questions&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=46343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46343\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/46344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=46343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=46343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=46343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}