Yet Another Baby Bonus Package Under Way?

GRAB A COPY OF SATURDAY'S (12 July) STRAITS TIMES!

On the Saturday that just passed, there was a full report on Singapore's Falling Birthrate situation. Spanning several pages, it covers Singapore's population policy journey from independence to present. How we started from "Two is Enough" in the 1970s and in the 1990s we have "Three or more if you can afford it". I wonder what is the next slogan. :) This is very useful to study in conjunction with pages 43 to 58 of your textbook. These sources may just appear in your 'O' Levels!

Background information
Earlier last week, MM Lee said that Singapore is preparing to review its incentives for couples to have children, following the example of Sweden. This is because Singapore's birthrate is about 1.2, which is way below the expected 2.1 replacement rate. MM Lee says that as we attract talents from various countries to come into Singapore to live and work, we must not 'overdo' it because having too many foreigners would change our Singapore, as a place, our people and our culture. We don't want to lose our 'Singapore' flavour, so we need to ensure that we replace ourselves in the next generation with more children.

Singapore hopes to look at the examples set by other industrialised countries who also have falling birthrates. How have they overcome this problem?

Well, we can be sure that we can be prepared for a new baby bonus package! :)

Stay tuned, people.