Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday said the Government will do its part to
reduce the anxieties and burdens of parenthood for Singaporeans.
In his Chinese New Year message, PM Lee
announced that Singapore's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) increased slightly in
2011 to 1.20 from 1.15 in 2010.
"But I do not think we have reversed the
long-term downward trend," he said.
Addressing the steady drop in TFR from 1.60 in
2000 to 1.2 in 2011, he said the Government intends to go beyond financial
incentive.
It will create a supportive social climate and
attitudes that will encourage couples to have more children.
He said: "One important intangible factor
that influences couples is their confidence in the future of the country and of
the next generation.
"Parents want the peace of mind that
their children will grow up in a safe and stable environment. They want to be
sure that their children will inherit a better Singapore than the one they
themselves knew.
Pointing out that the Dragon Year is
historically a year in which some Chinese families prefer having children, he
said: "I fervently hope that this year will be a big Dragon year for
babies."
He stressed that it is critical to preserve a
Singapore core in our society.
"We do not want to rely more and more
heavily on immigration, nor do we want to see our population shrinking year by
year".
The Straits Times reported that the TFR rate
is still way below the replacement level of 2.1 despite government measures to
encourage couples to have more children.
The TFR for Chinese Singaporeans is lower,
falling from 1.43 to 1.08 over the same period.
Mr Lee also stressed the importance of family
ties this year as turbulence is expected because of the predicted slow growth.
He said, "We will do more to help
Singaporeans help themselves, and create more opportunities for Singaporeans to
succeed.
"But the Government cannot and should not
do everything. Our families remain the first line of support. They can help
where Government cannot, due to the ties of kinship and love.
"That is why Government will always help
to nurture strong families in Singapore.
In closing, he urged all to look to the larger
Singapore family, and for Chinese Singaporeans to include friends of other
races, ethnic groups, new immigrants and the less fortunate in their
celebrations.
PM
Lee's full CNY message:
Chinese New Year is a time to bond with our
families, whether during the reunion dinner, while exchanging hongbaos with our
relatives or over yusheng at family gatherings. Although some of us may travel
overseas this long weekend, I hope that we will still make time for our loved
ones.
Strong families are the foundation of a
cohesive, harmonious society. Our families anchor our identity and sense of
belonging. They inspire us to work hard and be better people, and are our
bedrock of support in good times and bad.
These roles our families play are even more
critical in today's environment. The Year of the Rabbit has been eventful.
The Year of the Dragon is likely to see more uncertainty
in the global economy. Fortunately, Asia is still prospering, but Singapore is
already feeling the slowdown in the West. This is one of the reasons we project
1-3% growth this year. It will be prudent for us to be psychologically
prepared.
Globalisation will bring more such episodes of
turbulence in future. We are strengthening our social safety nets, and
broadening them to cover more families who encounter difficulties.
We will do more to help Singaporeans help
themselves, and create more opportunities for Singaporeans to succeed.
But the Government cannot and should not do
everything. Our families remain the first line of support. They can help where
Government cannot, due to the ties of kinship and love. That is why Government
will always help to nurture strong families in Singapore.
One important priority is to grow our
families. Singapore's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has been steadily dropping
from 1.60 in 2000 to 1.20 in 2011, despite many Government measures to
encourage couples to have more children.
This is especially true for Chinese
Singaporeans, whose TFR has dropped from 1.43 to 1.08 over the same period.
Singapore's TFR picked up slightly in 2011 (1.20) compared to 2010 (1.15), but
I do not think we have reversed the long-term downward trend.
Historically, more babies are born in a Dragon
Year as some Chinese families prefer to have "Dragon" children,
believing them to be smarter, more successful or lucky.
Others have more specific reasons. For
example, one mother-to-be waited for over two years to have a
"Dragon" baby whose zodiac sign would be compatible with her first
son (an "Ox"), herself ("Rooster") and her husband
("Dragon")
Hospitals are already expanding their
maternity facilities to deliver more "Dragon" babies. I fervently
hope that this year will be a big Dragon year for babies. But we should go
beyond the Chinese zodiac and traditional beliefs, and look at more fundamental
factors to encourage Singaporeans to have more children.
This is critical to preserve a Singapore core
in our society. We do not want to rely more and more heavily on immigration,
nor do we want to see our population shrinking year by year.
Having children is ultimately a personal
decision for families to make, but Government will do its part to reduce the
anxieties and burdens of parenthood. Baby Bonuses already help families with
the costs of raising children.
We are also doing more to help parents balance
work and parenthood, including extending maternity and childcare leave, and
encouraging companies to offer flexible working arrangements for employees with
children.
We are committed to helping young couples
obtain their first HDB flat as soon as possible. With government support,
childcare has become more affordable, and childcare centres are expanding and
providing many more places than before.
The critical factor now is not more financial
incentives, but creating the supportive social climate and attitudes that will
encourage couples to have more children.
One important intangible factor that
influences couples is their confidence in the future of the country and of the
next generation.
Parents want the peace of mind that their
children will grow up in a safe and stable environment. They want to be sure
that their children will inherit a better Singapore than the one they
themselves knew.
This is indeed our shared objective.
Ultimately we all want to make Singapore the best home in the world for
ourselves, our families and our children.
We all want ours to remain an inclusive,
meritocratic society where every child has the chance to realise his dreams and
aspirations.
We all want our children and grandchildren to
enjoy many opportunities in Singapore and beyond, even as they remain rooted by
a deep sense of belonging in Singapore.
Achieving these aspirations takes a national
effort, founded on our values of trust, resilience and mutual accommodation. I
am confident that we will succeed. I invite all Singaporeans to walk this
exciting journey together.
As we celebrate Chinese New Year with our
families, let us also remember others among us, such as our friends from the
Malay, Indian and other ethnic groups, new immigrants and the less fortunate.
Let us welcome them to join our Chinese New Year celebrations, so they too can
enjoy the festive cheer and the joys of living in our multi-ethnic community.
After all, we are all part of a larger
Singapore family. Regardless of our race or origin, all of us have helped build
Singapore to what it is today.
Our unity and cohesion through the trials and
tribulations of our young history have been critical to our success. If we
continue to stand together as one united people, we can face the future with
confidence and resolve.
I wish all Singaporeans a very happy Chinese
New Year!
AsiaOne
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