Singapore's declining birth rate a cause for concern: SM Goh
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/225737/1/.html====================================
-we're going to become extinct-
Singaporeans are not replacing themselves with more babies, with the ageing population and declining birth rate, we should all be worrying. Unless we want to become extinct Singaporeans, we should do something about it.
Though the birth rate has increased slightly in the first half of the year, it is still not enough to replace the ageing population. Those who have double income but no kids (DINKs) should seriously consider having one or two little ones of their own. The economy is picking up, they should be financially stable, so why not? The problem is to convince young couples to have more children,
Obviously the baby bonus is not working as expected. People comment that more money is needed than what is give to raise a child. Even with maid levies and longer maternity leave, people still aren't geared up to raise a child. I think the root of the problem lies with education. People may or may not see the need for an increasing birth rate, and they should be taught this from a young age so that they see the necessity to have more children. SM Goh commented that the government cannot do much about the problem of low fertility rate, because only the people themselves can solve this problem by having more children.
It will take time, but eventually I think that this problem can be solved. In this case, I think education is key, and we better start teaching, or convincing young people of Singapore to have more children. Otherwise, the species of Singaporeans might keep declining and then some. -- DE
posted by silvanix @ 10:57 AM
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