Attracting foreign talents is an effective measure to promote the

growth of population in Singapore. While Singapore waits for its pro-

family measures to show some positive results, it needs to enhance its

competitiveness by bringing in talent from other countries. In 1989, the

government relaxed its immigration policy to attract foreign talent with

skills that Singapore required. Easier entry into Singapore, subsidized

housing and an attractive education package for children were offered to

foreign talent who were willing to work in Singapore. Making it easier for

foreigners to work and live in Singapore, The government hopes some of

the individuals would develop an attachment to the nation and takes up

permanent residence or citizenship, for example, Mr. Jin Ta, principle

flautists with SSO since April 1998, a China national who became a

Singapore permanent residence, and makes contribution to the society

of Singapore as a foreign talent. Therefore ‘attracting foreign talents’ is

an effective approach by the inflow of foreigners, Singapore’s society

become more cosmopolitan.

Conclusion:

‘Attracting foreign talent ‘is the most effective approach taken by

government in promoting the growth of population, this is because,

although ‘three or more if you can afford’ encouraged parents to

have more children, but it was still can be decided by people, not so

powerful;

And ‘other pro-family measures’ help to lighten the burden of a

family with many children, but it needs much time to achieve the

purpose of having a great growth in population. So, for promoting a

great growth of population with good qualities in a short time,

‘attracting foreign talent’ is the most efficient approach.

How to meet the challenges of an ageing population?

At first, let senior citizens as assets to society. This is because by

2030, about 19% of population of Singapore ‘population will be over

the age of 65, there will be a large amt of senior citizens, so, the

challenge would be to ensure that these people remain contributing

members to society. This helps the senior citizens who have

valuable skills, knowledge, talent and work experience have

opportunities to add value to public and private organizations and

help boost family life.

‘Many helping hand’ approach is a useful way in meeting the

challenges of aging population. It means everyone has a part to play

in helping the nation prepare for an ageing population, individual,

family and community are involved. There will be a shared

responsibility of taking care of senior citizens so that reducing the

burden of government. For example, the Senior Citizens’ Week is

held to encourage the elderly to stay active in the family and

community. This kind of activity promotes the youths to be

responsible of taking care of senior citizens. With the

responsibilities shared, the resources saved can be used to meet the

other needs of nation. Therefore, ‘many helping hand’ approach is

very effective in meeting the challenges of ageing population.

The government support is also very essential in meeting the

challenges of ageing population. this is because the government is

most powerful in encouraging to share responsibility to taking care

of the senior citizens, such as the ‘tax relief’, taxpayers can claim an

income tax deduction for taking care of elderly parents, contribute

to their own or their elderly dependents’ CPF retirement accounts

and grandparents taking care of grandchild/children while both

parents work. This scheme made people more willing to take care of

their elderly parents so that can help in reducing the burden of

government. The government also carried out the ‘public housing

schemes’ which announced that first-time buyers of government

flats can get a housing grant if they buy a flat in the area where

their parents live to stimulate the two or more different generations

to communicate more and take care of the elderly indirectly.

Conclusion: for ‘many helping hand’ approach and ‘government

support’, they are all used for encouraging youths to take care of

senior citizens so that reducing the burden of government to pay

much money to elderly, but let senior citizens be assets to society is

encouraging them do something valuable for society to benefits

people and at the same time, they do not need people to take care

of themselves. The society under this scheme not only uses the

talent resource efficiently, but also saves a lot of time and efforts for

others.