You must understand that while they try to tweak and finetune a
long term solution, they must have a medium term solution in place
to mitigate nearer effects.
To actually wait and see if longer term solution actually works
might throw Singapore into a tailspin. You need something in the
meantime to fill in gaps as and when they occur. Foreign import of
talents can be managed and measured and adjusted on a year-to-year
basis. The Australian system is one that can be considered and a
good example.
Any situation regarding birth rates takes a long long time to tweak
and figure out. Our government is always extremely cautious towards
anything regarded as social welfare (many say too conservative, but
you can never accurately measure).
Actually, what Singapore is facing is nothing new. There were many
studies showing the correlation of developed countries against
birth rates. Typically, the higher the standard (and cost) of
living, then birth rates would suffer. This is observed across many
parts of Europe, Japan and parts of America.
There is no true solution. This is a social cost that typically
comes with a higher standard of living. I haven't seen any recent
studies, what I have noted previously is at least 5 years old.
