when compared to the lows of the past years, it will seem to
have increased. But still the total number if you can provide the
number, might still be small. And even with that number, it must be
broken down to Citizen and PR and non Citizens as well as race and
age groups to see the correct picture. In statistics, its talks
about generalizations. Therefore, to really know the situation, is
to know the details. To manage the situation is not just to think,
oh birth rates are up. But if its non-citizens or PRs who are
contributing to the increase, and they can at any time uproot.
Therefore, its only a temporary solution. I even ask Malaysians our
closest neighbours (PRC and most other foreigners were also asked
the same question) why they didn't want to become Singaporeans. The
reasons they gave were staring at our face. Though our papers like
to only publish the select few who choose to stay here. Most are
here either as stepping stone to better careers or just to make
money due to exchange rates and retire home bringing their locally
born off-springs back there as well. Singapore is just a good hotel
for them to trash up and leave. Who cleans up after them? Who
benefit from these people? You have the answer.
The whole situation of local citizens not giving birth is summed up
above by another poster and perhaps more reason that are not
because of economy and numbers. How about the intangible thing call
emotion. Ask any local born Singapore citizen if they feel
emotionally attached to this land? Do they see a bright future for
themselves and kids? Do they want to retire here? Do they foresee a
harder time in future? Will they be able to survive given the
current political party were to continue for the next 20-50 years?
etc. The total environment, macro, micro and everything in between
- and now people are given a choice medically if they want to bring
a next generation into this land knowing what they know about the
system, politics, economy, world, future and about themselves -
perhaps, just perhaps, people lost that confidence in the future
because they are finding it so much harder to just survive
now.
