The declining fertility rate - Singapore
Introduction
Singapore currently has a very low birth rate. Fertility began falling from the 1960s and 70s (Saw, 1980 and Chen, 1977) from a high Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 5.76 in 1960 to a low 1.29 in 2012 and the lowest recorded in 2010 at only 1.15 (Department of Statistics, 2013). This is much lower than the replacement rate of 2.1, which is a worrying concern for the nation. It is a pressing issue which has led to many changes in policies with respect to other issues related to it, such as immigration and ageing population.
This paper seeks to analyse the causes of the low TFR, issues related to it and its impacts. We also aim to evaluate how this problem and its repercussions are handled and conclude by giving our suggestions on how the problem could be tackled.
Causes of fertility decline
Fertility rates is highly dependent on marriages. Thus the factors influencing marriage and marital fertility affects TFR. These causes expressed in terms of family planning policies, changing attitudes, access to better contraceptives, economic development and increased cost of living either impact people’s willingness to get married, have children, or both, causing the decline in TFR.
a. Family planning policies
Family planning activity started in 1949 and was actively carried out by the board in 1966 (Chen, 1977). The 70s ‘Stop at two!’ policies were made to facilitate better planning of families, a matter of national importance. Abortions and sterilizations were legalized here.
Figure 1: Total live-births & TFR (Source: Population trends 2013)
According to Figure 1, TFR successfully decreased with tremendous effect from the policy launched in the 70s. The TFR has generally been dec...
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...there are various factors that have led to the low fertility rate of Singapore. This has brought differing impacts on the nation. Various policies have been implemented to tackle this issue, but not all have been successful.
We too have given our suggestions. However, every policy comes with its own limitations. Not everyone may be convinced alike. With larger monetary incentives comes greater tax on the citizens. The effects of the policies too cannot be seen immediately and the government itself could improve ways to measure the effectiveness of every policy. But such long term measures are vital, so that the root cause of the problem can be solved, for Singapore to have a sustainable population. Short-term solutions are necessary for immediate change, but the main goal in mind should be to focus efforts on increasing fertility rate to replacement level of 2.1.
Feng Wang and Cai Yong stated that the fertility rate was already declining and the policy wasn’t necessary for the Chinese people, especially because of the enormous costs. The fertility rate, which is the number of children the average woman has in her lifetime, in China started at 2.7 in 1979 and decreased to 1.7 in 2008. The article “China’s One Child Policy at 30” argued that the policy did not need to be introduced in China because the rates were already lower than Brazil at 4.2 and Thailand at 3.6.
According to some accounts, the eugenics movement died out in the 1930s. However, the forty two percent of Native American women who were sterilized under questionable circumstances by 1982, stand as testament that eugenics was alive and kicking during the seventies (Define 1997). Sparked by concern about overpopulation in the 1960s, eugenics was legally sanctioned under the Nixon administration (Johansen 1998). This sanctioning was given life in a campaign to sterilize the impoverished. For instance, between 1969 and 1974, the budget for family planning increased from $51 million to more than $250 million (Johansen 1998). This money helped to sterilize between 192,000 and 548,000 women each year between 1970 and 1977 compared to an average of 63,000 a year between 1907 and 1964, a period that included the pinnacle of the eugenics movement (Johansen 1998).
When looking at the development of abortion policy, it is clear that it has always been a subject of controversy. Campaigns for the legalisation of...
The effects of population control programs on demographic change were not instant, and it takes long serious effort to encourage the improvement of economic development in a country. According to Paul J. Gertler (1994, p. 33), “Population control is a key element in a country’s ability to maintain and improve its economic and social welfare”. Furthermore, this paper intends to explain why the change of population structure has an effect on the society’s economic condition in Indonesia with examining the demographic variables.
Many scientist and specifically sociologists are concerned with the population on planet Earth. Many couples today are choosing not to have children. This choice does not just effect the couples personally, however it effects the whole country's demographic. The increase in childlessness among couples generates economic and social problems. Many countries are facing this problem. Hara in a journal article mentions that Japan and Germany are a couple of the countries that are going through childlessness (Hara, 2008).Today, more than 80 countries depend on immigration to prevent the populations from declining, due to the death rate being higher than birth rate. (Becker-Posner, 2013) How will declining birth rates affect demographics in many countries around the world? How will it affect the Global economy? How will it affect societies in different countries; will it raise social and racial tensions? Will it affect relations
Cross culturally fertility and childbearing are a major concern due to the significance of passing on heritage, family names, and values to the next generation. Additionally, in many cultures the children are responsible for the care of their parents when they become elderly. Infertility is a universal concern in both Western and developing countries. It is estimated that up to 168 million people across the globe are affected with infertility. The bulk of these cases reside within developing countries (Vayena & Rowe, 2002). When couples are having trouble conceiving a child it is a source of distress for both partners (Helman, 2007, p. 176). This distress can be manifested in a variety of ways that adversely affect the family structure.
According to the Hong Kong Economic Times, the pregnancy rate amongst teenage girls in Hong Kong was rising in recent years, with most of them are from lower income group. Alia Eyres, chief executive of Mother’s Choice, a non-profit community organization that provides care for single girls and their families facing unwanted pregnancies, said that the statistic from last year show that a total of 3066 pregnant unmarried women had seek them for help, 8.6% higher than the previous year. And there were 27% were under the age of 18, the youngest was only 12 years old.
However, the wish of having multiple children, especially boys, was challenged by the strict One Child policy in 1979. The One Child policy, also known as Family Planning policy, was implemented across the country as one of fundamental national policies under the administration of Population and Family Planning Commission. Based on the purpose of lowering fertility rates to ease social pressure and improve living standard, a married couple is only allowed to have one child with some exceptions made for some ethnic minorities and rural families. The majority of citizens are classified by ethnics and occupations to fit the specific regulations of compensations and punishments to prevent them from having a second child (Li, J., & Cooney, R, S. 1993).
Although many women around the world are unable to obtain legal abortions when they need them, the current world situation differs considerably from conditions prevailing 50 years ago, when nearly every nation-outlawed abortion. The first definitive steps toward legalization of abortion were taking in Northern Europe during the 1930s and gained momentum in the years following World War two, when the socialist nations of Eastern and Central Europe (with the exception of Albania) adopted laws permitting first-trimester abortions either the woman's request of on the basis of broadly interpreted social indications. Many other developed countries, including the United States, followed suit in the 1960s and 1970s. By the beginning of the 1986, induced abortions could be legally obtained for health reasons in North American and in every European country except Belgium, Ireland, and Malta. Although in many of these nations certain restrictions apply to the provision of abortion, especially in the second trimester, almost any woman who wants can get a legal first-trimester abortion. Thus, the lega...
The article that I researched regarding this area explores the reasons why women may be taking the steps to start a family without marriage, whether these pregnancies are planned or unplanned. The study was conducted using a couple of different methods including the National Survey of Family Growth and a Discrete-Time Hazard Model. “The National Survey of Family Growth is a periodic, nationally representative fertility survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.
In order to solve the overpopulation issue, the government should pay great attention to it. Some policies, such as “ One China policy”, have already been made in China. They have already paid off. For instance, in 1994, the natural growth rate was 11.21‰, but in 1999 it was only 8.77‰ (SFPCC statics). However, China still has a long way to go in this aspect, for the overpopulation is still serious now, just like what have been mentioned in the previous paragraphs.
Teitelbaum, Michael S., Jay Winter. “Low Fertility Rates - Just a Phase?” YaleGlobal Online. Yale Global, 9 Jul. 2013. Web. 1 Mar. 2014.
In the governments view the policy was remarkable, but little do they know how many families the law has damaged. Decreasing the number of babies being born impacts the traditional family structure. “On the township roads, there are slogans written on flamboyant red banners, telling peop...
Singapore’s population size has been increasing steadily over the past few years but only 60% of the population are Singaporeans. In order to increase the population size, there were new policies implemented. It is no secret to all Singaporeans that Singapore has had a low fertility rate for the past few decades. To tackle the problem, the Singapore government has introduced a number of policies to encourage young, married couples to start having more children in order to increase the population size.
Seven and a half billion. Enough steps to walk around the globe a hundred and sixty times. Our planet is trying to provide and sustain for a colossal number of people which is expanding every single second. Now the concern that has been put forth by scholars come from the idea that the consumption and effects to our planet by our current society is an international security risk that greatly compromises the future generations. Confucius even mentions this at the earliest start of civilization by saying: