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Follow our live coverage here.<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n SINGAPORE \u2013 Marriage and parenthood are expected to feature significantly in the 2026<\/span><\/a> National Day Rally,<\/span><\/a> analysts said, as family formation becomes an increasingly important issue for Singapore\u2019s long-term social and economic sustainability amid a very low fertility rate.<\/p>\n Rather than persuade people to have more children, the Rally is likely to focus on how starting families can become more compatible with people\u2019s aspirations, they added.<\/p>\n In his National Day Message,<\/span><\/a> Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said a major review was under way on how families here are supported across various life stages \u2013 not only at the point of marriage and parenthood, but also throughout life\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n He said that more details on plans to help parents with the costs of raising children will be provided in his Rally speech on Aug 23.<\/p>\n Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Kalpana Vignehsa said PM Wong\u2019s reference to a \u201cmajor review\u201d suggests that he could announce a broader reconsideration of how families are supported across the life course, rather than a further fertility incentive.<\/p>\n This could mean looking at the costs of caring for children more as social infrastructure rather than a private family obligation, she said, noting that childcare is not a one-off expense.<\/p>\n \u201cRather, it is an ongoing infrastructure that determines whether parents can participate in the labour market and how much of the caregiving burden falls on families themselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Singapore Management University associate professor of law Eugene Tan said Singapore\u2019s persistently low total fertility rate has been a longstanding existential challenge for the country. The Republic\u2019s resident total fertility rate fell to a low of 0.87 in 2025.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Focusing on the issue at the Rally, the biggest political speech of the year, underscores that the Government is not giving up on building the Singapore core, even as the country will have to rely on immigration to make up the shortfall in resident births, said Tan.<\/p>\n Analysts said the Rally\u2019s emphasis on family policy should be seen within the broader question of how Singapore can stay resilient and cohesive in a more uncertain world.<\/p>\n Kalpana said there was a common thread connecting the issues that PM Wong has been talking about, from families under pressure to workers being disrupted by technological change and an ageing population.<\/p>\n For instance, topics such as artificial intelligence, immigration, and creating a more family-friendly environment were also discussed during a June dialogue that PM Wong had with the Singapore Press Club.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Underlying these topics is how Singapore can adapt without losing social cohesion, and how the social contract should evolve to provide greater security while maintaining a sense of individual and collective responsibility, she added.<\/p>\n With geopolitics a mainstay of past Rally speeches, PM Wong is also expected to address how Singapore is responding to external developments.<\/p>\n Tan said the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and its impact on Singapore\u2019s energy security is likely to come up, as is the city-state\u2019s role in continuing to uphold a fraying rules-based order to protect its independence and sovereignty.<\/p>\n PM Wong may also discuss Singapore\u2019s upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2027,<\/span><\/a> and highlight the importance of the regional grouping to the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n PM Wong\u2019s Rally speech on Aug 23 will begin at 6.45pm, with him speaking first in Malay, followed by Mandarin. He will then deliver his speech in English at 8pm.<\/p>\n The event, which will be held at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio, will be broadcast on local TV channels and radio stations, and streamed live on PM Wong\u2019s and the Prime Minister\u2019s Office\u2019s YouTube channels.<\/p>\n The Rally is a platform for the prime minister to address the nation, give a report card on the progress it has made, share important policy matters and highlight Singapore\u2019s future challenges.<\/p>\n The Straits Times will cover the 2026 event live. Catch the speech on the ST website<\/span><\/a> and ST\u2019s YouTube page<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\nHow to follow the National Day Rally<\/h2>\n