As published in The Straits Times
I refer to the two articles “Why the fertility rate doesn’t capture socio-economic or cultural trends” (June 29) and “'If it comes, it comes’: Marriage? Kids? Singles are in no rush to settle down” (June 30), both of which were micro in scope.
In the first article, a Department of Statistics spokesman was quoted as saying a recent analysis on Singapore’s falling total fertility rate (TFR) did not analyse the socio-economic, cultural or biological determinants of fertility trends.
Singapore urgently needs a comprehensive macro analysis to ascertain if an existential issue is insidiously creeping in or has already taken root beyond the point of no return. That the TFR was 0.97 in 2023 means that recovering the population replacement rate of 2.1 may well be a pipe dream.
A drop in Singapore’s population will impact Singaporean lives in areas such as the economy, property market, defence capabilities, and immigration.
The Population in Brief 2023 report by the National Population and Talent Division provides a more macro view but perhaps its scope could be expanded to cover more areas of potential impact. The many academics in our universities can also chime in after their expert research.
Questions need to be asked on where there might be solutions that can be implemented to complement the many noteworthy schemes already put in place.
Uncomfortable but reasonable questions to be asked may include why the TFR ranges from 0.87 to 1.83 among the different races in Singapore and if immigration is the only viable solution left.
Can Singaporeans not react with online vitriol too often and mull over whether they are prepared to accept any negative trade-offs? If low TFR points to an existential problem, should we not unite to deal with it sooner rather than later?
Population is often a hot-potato topic in Singapore. But as our nation approaches its 59th birthday, perhaps – as citizens with a common destiny – we can set aside our differences, be responsible Singaporeans, and put our heads together to find solutions.
Loh Kin Poh