SINGAPORE : Most young Singaporeans do not see
having children as a top priority, according to a new survey of
over 1,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 21 to 39
years.
The study, by advocacy group I Love Children, showed
that only 3 per cent see having kids as a top
priority.
28 per cent want a successful career, while 25 per
cent want financial independence.
The survey comes on the back of Singapore's fertility rate dropping
to a record low of 1.16 last year.
Despite the results, it seems that Singaporeans do eventually want
kids.
64 per cent said they still want to have children, and this
includes those who already have kids and want more.
Of the remaining 36 per cent who did not want to have children or
were not sure about it, 39 per cent said they would change their
mind if finances were not an issue.
Almost half the group also said they would change their mind if
they had a more supportive spouse.
And on the ideal number of children, married couples who already
have two children said they would like to have up to four kids,
provided they had a flexible work arrangement.
Singles and newly-weds though said they only want two kids at
most.
Joni Ong, president of advocacy group I Love Children said: "The
results came from 1008 respondents, and as you can see, the bulk of
the respondents came from the single, soon to wed and the
newly-wed. They formed the bulk of the respondents. And at that
life stage, I'm not surprised that having children is not a top
priority.
"At that age and life stage, carving a career for themselves, being
financially independent would come out higher at that point in
time."
- CNA /ls
