{"id":48624,"date":"2026-04-30T15:05:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T07:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=48624"},"modified":"2026-04-30T15:05:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T07:05:49","slug":"new-workgroup-to-drive-marriage-and-parenthood-reset-in-spore-amid-record-low-fertility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=48624","title":{"rendered":"New workgroup to drive marriage and parenthood reset in S\u2019pore amid record low fertility"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SINGAPORE \u2013 A new inter-agency work group will aim to mobilise the broader society to support Singaporeans in marrying and having children, amid the Republic\u2019s fertility rate declining to a new low of 0.87.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Aimed at helping Singaporeans as they navigate marriage and parenthood, the group will examine issues including financial costs, work-life support, housing, healthcare, pre-school and education. <\/p>\n

The Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister\u2019s Office Indranee Rajah, comprises eight other political office holders from the Health, Education, Manpower and other relevant ministries. It will produce a full report with its findings in early 2027, though it may make recommendations earlier. <\/p>\n

Speaking to the media on April 29 at the Prime Minister\u2019s Office at The Treasury, Ms Indranee said the work group marks a shift away from earlier approaches that focused largely on policy measures such as increasing subsidies, Baby Bonus payouts and Child Development Account support.<\/p>\n

Instead, it aims to mobilise a broad range of stakeholders \u2013 including employers, religious organisations and the wider community \u2013 in what Ms Indranee described as a national, collective effort.<\/p>\n

She noted that decisions around marriage and parenthood are shaped by intangible factors and cannot be addressed through policy alone. \u201cWe have identified mindset shift as a big part of the work… and (this) has to be done in collaboration with society,\u201d she said. \u201cSo although we are a work group… my entire committee is whole of Singapore, because we need the whole of Singapore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked about measurable outcomes and timelines, she said there are no specific targets but added that she hoped there would be broader indicators of progress. \u201cWhat would really, really be good is if we have more babies than we had last year, and if our TFR (or total fertility rate) figure is better than it was last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added that success would also be reflected in more opportunities for young people to meet and form relationships, and for those debating whether to have children to see that there is support and joy in having families.<\/p>\n

Other signs of progress would include reduced stigma around fertility treatments and more progressive workplace practices that better support work-life balance.<\/p>\n

The work group will focus on three areas: developing a long-term road map to reset societal perceptions and support for marriage and parenthood; proposing policy moves to address key concerns and enable these shifts; and mobilising society to support Singaporeans in their family journeys. <\/p>\n

Ms Indranee said it will approach its work in two broad ways.<\/p>\n

It will first focus on the Government\u2019s role, including reviewing its policies to better support families in areas like the cost of raising children and access to affordable housing. It will also look at what society as a whole can do to contribute to this national issue. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe will be engaging widely to get ideas and feedback and to secure the commitment of stakeholders,\u201d Ms Indranee said. \u201cI ask all Singaporeans to be part of this effort and to help change the trajectory of our TFR through the power of our collective effort.\u201d <\/p>\n

The work group, which had its first meeting in March, comes as the Republic hit its\u00a0lowest resident TFR to date<\/span><\/a>\u00a0at 0.87 in 2025, down from 0.97 in 2024. <\/p>\n

Ms Indranee said that if this trajectory continues, it will have \u201cprofound and serious consequences\u201d for Singapore.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an existential issue for us, and we must address it before it becomes irreversible,\u201d she said. \u201cGiven the importance of this issue, it cannot be business as usual. We need a marriage and parenthood reset.\u201d<\/p>\n

The work group is supported by the National Population and Talent Division and will engage widely to gather ideas and feedback on policies. It will also seek the commitment of stakeholders, including employers, businesses, community organisations and individual Singaporeans.<\/p>\n

The other members are:<\/p>\n

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    Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Health (MOH)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for MCCY and Manpower (MOM)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for MDDI and Education (MOE)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Mr Goh Pei Ming, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development (MSF)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and MSF<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Mr Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance and MOM<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Ms Goh Hanyan, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for MCCY and Sustainability and the Environment <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Minister in the Prime Minister\u2019s Office Indranee Rajah (front row, centre) with workgroup members (front row, from left) Shawn Huang, Low Yen Ling, Goh Hanyan, Dinesh Vasu Dash, (back row, from left) Goh Pei Ming, Rahayu Mahzam, Jasmin Lau and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim.<\/p>\n

    PHOTO: PRIME MINISTER\u2019S OFFICE, STRATEGY GROUP <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Mr Goh said that through this work group, MSF and the Early Childhood Development Agency will review pre-school accessibility and affordability, and support parents. It will also build on recent enhancements to parental leave, guided by feedback from parents and employers.<\/p>\n

    The Government has enhanced its marriage and parenthood measures in recent years, including doubling paternity leave and making it mandatory for fathers, and introducing 10 weeks of shared parental leave.<\/p>\n

    Noting that many Singaporeans are navigating pressures of balancing work and parenthood commitments, Mr Dinesh said MOM will engage tripartite partners and take in feedback from both workers and employers to find practical approaches that support their needs. <\/p>\n

    On healthcare, Ms Rahayu said MOH will work with healthcare partners to raise awareness of fertility health and strengthen support for couples.<\/p>\n

    And in education, many families today feel the weight of expectations, whether around academic achievement or the idea of \u201cperfect parenting\u201d, said Ms Lau.<\/p>\n