good governance. population pyramid singapore’s population policy from rapid-growth baby-boom...
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Good Governance
Population Pyramid
Population Pyramid
Population Pyramid
Singapore’s Population PolicyFrom rapid-growth baby-boom figures during the 1950s
and the 1960s to the …
1966 to 1981 three five-year plans to reduce population growth to the …
Current struggle to bring up declining population levels and replacement rates and finding ways to …
Handle current ageing population problems
Singapore’s Population PolicyLate 1950s to the 1960s:
Post-war baby boom due to peace and stability in Singapore following WW2 as businesses were re-started and employment was abundant
Confidence in the future and the belief that more children meant better financial security in old age
With an average of 6 to 7 children or more per family, the population grew rapidly from 1.02m to 1.64m in a decade
Singapore’s Population PolicyLate 1950s to the 1960s:
In 1965, Singapore became independent and was poised to face many challenges: British military pull-out scheduled for 1971 No raw materials Need to build up industry Need to build up schools Need to build up healthcare system Need to build up infrastructure Need to house a growing population
Singapore’s Population Policy1966 to 1981 (Family Planning Phase)
In 1966, setting up of the SFPPB (Singapore Family Planning and Population Board) to plan population policies with the aim to control population growth:Aimed for 3 Five Year Plans
1966 – Emphasize the need for smaller families1971 – Encouraged married couples to stop at 2 children1976 – Maintain the replacement level at 2.1 children
Singapore’s Population Policy1966 to 1981 (Family Planning Phase)
In addition, various measures to assist the 5 year plans were put in place:Encouraging contraception and making it
available for purchaseLegalised abortionCampaigns
Singapore’s Population Policy1966 to 1981 (Family Planning Phase)
In addition, various measures to assist the 5 year plans were put in place:No paid maternity leave to be given to the 3rd and subsequent
childrenNo priority to be given to large families in the allocating of
government (HDB) flatsNo income tax relief to be given for the 4th and subsequent
childrenDelivery charges in hospitals to be increased with each
additional child
Singapore’s Population Policy1966 to 1981 (Family Planning Phase)
Was extremely successful:1980 – Fertility rate was 1.82 per woman
Family planning policy to reduce birth rate had worked
Was not that successful:Fertility rate was below replacement levelOther factors at play for a decrease in births:
Increasing living costsChange of mindsets towards career, marriage and large
families
Singapore’s Population PolicyTo what extent were Singapore’s Family Planning policies a
success? Explain your answer. [12m]Step 1: Explain that they were successful
1980 – Fertility rate was 1.82 per woman Family planning policy to reduce birth rate had worked
Step 2: Explain that they were not that successful Fertility rate was below replacement level Other factors at play for a decrease in births:
Increasing living costs Change of mindsets towards career, marriage and large families
Step 3: Weighing
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth
Rate)Why was there a need to promote population
growth from the 1980s?Declining Birth Rate from the 1980sUnattractive to MNCs (Multi-National Companies)Ageing PopulationDefence Needs
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
Why was there a need to promote population growth from the 1980s? Declining Birth Rate from the 1980s
Fertility rate was at 1.82 (below replacement rate) Rising cost of living Changing Attitudes:
Higher educational prospects for women resulted in them marrying later and focusing on their careers
Young couples want time together and decide on having children later Changing attitudes towards marriage and large families Dragon Year versus unpopular years Economic uncertainties
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
Why was there a need to promote population growth from the 1980s?Unattractive to MNCs
Not enough talented people to work in MNCs and sustain their development in Singapore
More expensive to recruit Singaporeans because of short supply and therefore MNCs may move to cheaper hiring destinations like India and China where the labour market is bigger
Singaporeans would also become a less attractive consumer market
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
Why was there a need to promote population growth from the 1980s?Ageing Population
Fewer births mean fewer young people in future population figures to counter the large amount of older people from the baby boom period
More resources would be needed to take care of the ageing population and less resources would be available for other sectors
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
Why was there a need to promote population growth from the 1980s?Defence
With fewer young people, there would be less men to serve the nation
Singapore would be weakened in terms of defence capability
Move towards Army 3G to counter a drop in human resources
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Graduate Mothers SchemeThree or More if You Can Afford ItOther Pro-Family MeasuresAttracting Foreign Talent
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Graduate Mothers Scheme
Research undertaken showed that the children of university graduates tended to perform better in schools
As a result, PM Lee (LKY) felt that female graduates should have more children so that the new generation workforce would be better educated
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Graduate Mothers Scheme
In 1984, the GMS was introduced to encourage marriages among graduates and to encourage them to have more children
GMS sparked off a debate and unhappiness because non-graduates were unhappy as they were neglected under the policy
The GMS was scrapped in 1985
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Three or More if You Can Afford It
Amendment of the 1987 population policy and aimed to bring back the replacement level of 2.1 children
Instead of discouraging large families, parents were encouraged to have three or more children if they could afford it
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Three or More if You Can Afford It
Due to the 1985 recession and the retrenchment of workers by MNCs, the government also wanted couples to only have children if they could afford it and not contribute to social problems if they were to have another child and not be able to cope financially
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Three or More if You Can Afford It
The government also introduced measures like allowing the use of Medisave to pay for the deliveries of the first 3 children
LIMITED SUCCESSFertility rate rose from 1.48 to 1.96 in 1988From 1988 fell from 1.96 to 1.24 in 2004
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Three or More if You Can Afford It
Publicity campaigns also failed to inspire couples to have more than one child
Later marriagesLowest birth rate
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Other Pro-Family Measures
To help with the high cost of raising children and the lack of suitable childcare facilities:Equalised medical benefits – Mothers could now
make claims for their children5-day work week – To allow for a better work-life
balance
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Other Pro-Family Measures
To help with the high cost of raising children and the lack of suitable childcare facilities:Grandparent Caregiver Relief – Tax relief for
grandparents who took care of childrenExtended paid maternity leave – (from 8 weeks to 12
weeks)
Singapore’s Population Policy1980s and beyond (Declining Birth Rate)
How did the government promote population growth after the 1980s?Attracting Foreign Talent
Enhance Singapore’s competitivenessRelaxed immigration policy from 1989 making it easier
to obtain Singapore citizenshipSubsidised housingAttractive education packages for children
Singapore’s Population PolicyAgeing Population
Singapore’s population will age quickly over the next 30 years because:Post-war baby boomers will hit 65 in 2030 … Declining birth rate from the 1980s … proportion of
young working adults is shrinking and proportion of elderly is increasing
Increased standard of living and better healthcare … Singaporeans live longer
I don’twant to be
BORN…Go Away!
Singapore’s Population PolicyAgeing Population
An ageing population will affect Singapore in the following ways:Greater demand for healthcare and social servicesSmaller defence forcesStrain on the working populationLess competitive against other developing countries
Singapore’s Population PolicyMeasures taken to deal with an Ageing
Population:Senior Citizens as Assets to Society“Many Helping Hands” Approach
IndividualFamilyCommunityGovernment
Singapore’s Population PolicyMeasures taken to deal with an Ageing
Population:Senior Citizens as Assets to Society
Valuable knowledge, skills, work experience and talentThey can still contribute to public and private
organisations and family life
Singapore’s Population PolicyMeasures taken to deal with an Ageing
Population:“Many Helping Hands” Approach
Sharing of responsibility to take care of senior citizens and cutting down on government’s burden
Singapore’s Population PolicyMeasures taken to deal with an Ageing
Population:“Many Helping Hands” Approach
IndividualHealthy lifestyle (to reduce medical
expenditure)Financial planning for retirement
Singapore’s Population PolicyMeasures taken to deal with an Ageing
Population:“Many Helping Hands” Approach
Family SupportEmotional, Social and Financial supportStrengthen family bondsAnnual Senior Citizens’ Week – Encourage the
elderly to stay active, promote a positive attitude towards ageing
Singapore’s Population PolicyMeasures taken to deal with an Ageing
Population:“Many Helping Hands” Approach
Family SupportGrandparents’ Day to bring families together
and show appreciation for the elderly
Singapore’s Population PolicyMeasures taken to deal with an Ageing
Population:“Many Helping Hands” Approach
Community HelpGovernment gives subsidies to voluntary
welfare organisations to run community-based services for the elderly: free health checks, befriender services, recreational activities
Singapore’s Population PolicyMeasures taken to deal with an Ageing
Population:“Many Helping Hands” Approach
Government SupportLaws and measures to protect the rights and interests of
the elderlyTribunal for the Maintenance of ParentsTax ReliefCPFPublic Housing Schemes
Potential Essay QuestionTo what extent is the government responsible
for preparing the country for an ageing population? Explain your answer. [12m]L3 – Explain what the government does to
prepare the country for an ageing populationL4 – Explain what others do to prepare the
country for an ageing population (Individual, Family, Community)
L5 – Weigh extent to which the government prepares the country for an ageing population versus what others do