Chapter 2 - Singapore's Population Policy

Chapter 2Population Policy

Recap

The 4 functions of the

government

4 guiding principles that the government

follows

Population Policy

1. Why do we need to study about population policy?

2. How does the government manage the population?

Background (1960s-1980s)Singapore was progressing as a nation.

The future seems brighter.

Background

People started having bigger families.

What’s wrong with having big families?

Imagine

If your family is living on a ship, with limited food, water and space, what happens when your parents have more children?

Impacts of population explosion

Insufficient Employment

Insufficient Housing

Insufficient Healthcare Services

Insufficient Education Services

Then,Let’s have a small small small

population. Then,We shall have no problems!

What’s wrong with having small

families?

Imagine

If your family is living on a ship, with limited food, water and space, what happens when your brothers and sisters fall sick and died, leaving you and your parents on the ship?

Impact of declining birthrate

Economic Slowdown

Ageing Population

Weak Defence Force

Economic SlowdownMultinational companies will be uninterested to set up their businesses in Singapore.

High Labour Costs

Insufficient Talent

Small Consumer Market

Ageing PopulationLess young children, more old peopleSingapore will have to focus her resources and time on caring for old people.

Weak Defence ForceLess men to serve in NS and fight for the country.

A Short Summary

Insufficient EmploymentInsufficient HousingInsufficient HealthcareServicesInsufficient Education Services

Economic SlowdownAgeing PopulationWeak Defence Force

Growth

Development

What did Singapore do when she

experienced a huge population increase?

Set upSingapore Family Planning and Population Board

Aim: Control population growth

3 Five-Year Plans 1st planEmphasise the need for smaller families

2nd planEncourage married couples to ‘stop at 2’

3rd planAim to maintain the replacement level at 2.1 children

5-Year

5-Year

5-Year

Other measures (pg. 42) No paid maternity leave to be given to the

3rd and subsequent children

No priority to be given to large families in the allocation of government flats

No income tax relief to be given for the 4th

and subsequent children

Other measures (pg. 42) Increased delivery charges in hospitals

with each additional child

Encouraged contraception

Legalised abortion

Results of these Five-Year Plans

SUCCESSFULBy 1980s Declining birth rate Fertility rate is at 1.82

1960s 1980s

60 000 40 000

Population Pyramid

Population Pyramid

Population Pyramid

Oh no!Now, the Singapore government has to increase the population.

Graduate Mothers Scheme

3 or More if You can Afford It

Pro-family Measures

Attract Foreign Talents

Graduate Mothers Scheme

1

=

Why?

Education Level of Parents

Performance of their

Children in Schools

Highly-educated

New Generation of

Workforce

Successful?1. Less-educated felt ignored by

the policy. 2. They were unhappy about

this policy. 3. The scheme was stopped

after 1 year.Zero

Success

Three or More if You can Afford it

2

2. Three or more if you can afford it

Singapore General Hospital

Mode of Delivery

Hospital charges

A1 (single) B1 (4-bed)

Normal $3,000 - $3,300 $2,700 - $3,000

Caesarean section $6,000 - $6,500 $5,700 - $6,000

2. Three or more if you can afford itIntroduced measures such as

Use Medisave to pay for the delivery charges of the first three children.

Successful?1. Not all married couples wanted so many children.

2. Some felt that government was not doing enough to

promote population growth.

Limited Success

Pro-family Measures

3

Why?High Costs of Raising Children

Lack of Suitable Childcare Services

3. Other pro-family measures

Equalised Medical Benefits

Grandparent Caregiver Relief

5-day work week for Civil Service

Extended Maternity Leave

Successful?Singapore’s birthrate continued to drop.

1.24Singapore 2004 Fertility Rate

Limited Success

Attract Foreign Talents

4

Why?

Improve quality of manpower in Singapore

Create more jobs Increase work force’s productivity

Easier Entry Requirements

SubsidisedHousing

Attractive Education Package for Foreign

Talent Children

The Singapore government relaxes immigration policy to attract foreign talent to work and stay in Singapore.

A comment by a blue-collarSingaporean worker

“Aiyah the government give this, give that to the angmo. But do the government know that these ang mo will always go back to their own country once they earn our money??”

Successful?More foreigners make Singapore their home.

Success

Short SummaryMeasures to increase the population.

Graduate Mothers Scheme

3 or More if You can Afford It

Pro-family Measures

Attract Foreign Talents

3 factors that led to an ageing population

1960s’ Baby Boomers

Declining Birth Rates

Longevity

What’s so goodabout old people?

What’s so bad about old people?

Population Pyramid

Population Pyramid

Population Pyramid

Impacts of ageing population

Demand for more Healthcare

and SocialServices

Smaller SecurityForces

Reduction in Competitiveness

Strain on Working

Population

Solutions

Solutions

Senior Citizens as assets to

society

‘Many Helping Hands’

approach

Senior Citizens as assets to society

1

To ensure that these people remain as contributing members of society.

Because they have valuable skills, knowledge, talentand work experience.

To provide opportunities for these elderly to add value to public and private organisationsTo help boost family life.

A positive image of senior citizensA positive attitude towards ageing.

‘Many Helping Hands’ approach

2

Everyone has a part to play in helping the nation prepare for an ageing population.

Resourcescan be saved

for other needs of the

nation.

Government’s burden is lessened.

Individual Family Community

Government

Individual

1

Be healthy by having a healthy lifestyle

Be financially stable by planning financial

You

IndividualBe self-sufficient in their old age. Age gracefully.

GovernmentSave money by building less social and welfare facilities

Family

2

FamilyA strong and stablefamily becomes the main emotional, social and financial support for the elderly.

Aim1. Help family

bond

2. Stay strongand stable

Encourage elderly to stay active in the family and community

Show appreciation for the elderly.

Community

3

Community provides 1. Social and Emotional

Support, 2. Healthcare Services and 3. Social Services

Home Nursing Foundation for Elders

Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs)Home Nursing Foundation for Elders

Run community-based services for senior citizens

Help senior citizens remain physically, mentally and socially active

Financially supported by the government

VWOs

Community The community acts as a replacement for senior citizens who have no families to support them emotionally and financially.

Government

4

GovernmentSingapore Government supports an ageing population through

Financial Legal

GovernmentFinanceTax Relief

Income tax deduction for taking care of your grandparents

CPFElderly receive a monthly sum from their CPF retirement account

LegalTribunal for the Maintenance of Parents

Parents can get the court’s help to seek financial support from their children

Public Housing schemes You get priority to buy houses if you stay with your grandparents

A Short Summary

Individual Family Community Government

Solutions

Senior Citizens as assets to

society

‘Many Helping Hands’

approach

Population PolicySummary

Control Population Growth• ‘Stop at 2’ Policy

Encourage Population Growth• Graduate Mothers’ Scheme• 3 or More if You can Afford It• Pro –family Measures• Attract Foreign Talent

Prepare for an Ageing Population• Senior Citizens as Assets to Society• ‘Many Helping Hands’ approach