SINGAPORE: Getting Singaporeans to have more babies
is not just about affordability, but may require a mindset change,
said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
The hot issue of Singapore's declining total
fertility rate was a key focus at this year's National Youth Forum,
where Mr Goh was a guest-of-honour.
Mr Goh said: "Those who can't afford to have
children never had problems over affordability. They just have more
children. And those who can afford, in fact, do not have more than
one or two or so. So there's that contradiction over there, which
suggests that having children in fact is a rather complex
issue."
Held annually, the forum gives participants a taste of policy
making through case studies and learning journeys.
This year, it focused on creating a new set of 5Cs in Singapore -
Career, Children, Charity, Comfort and Culture.
On the issue of raising Singapore's low fertility rate,
participants suggested making childcare services more affordable,
to help parents juggle work and family.
Participants also discussed ways to get more companies involved in
Corporate Social Responsibility, and helping the elderly build
their retirement savings.
-CNA/ac