Page 18 - Aspire April -2023 Vol 8 / Issue 2

SINGAPORE
Will Year of the Dragon rescue Singapore from its declining fertility rate, now at a record low?
By Dr Rajesh Hemashree, Country Representative
I was raised in the early 1980s when family planning was rife, and the saying went that “it takes a village to raise a child.”
Less than 50 years later, it takes a country, several incentives, extensive counselling, and liberal child support to cajole young couples to sire a child.
And when the precious one is born, you don’t need a village. The city has gadgets, infant care centres and science to monitor.
Singapore’s total fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.05 in 2022. As the city state, busily climbs world rankings in economic well-being, health, and education sadly we lag in fertility.
Various factors are involved. Women are more literate and have relinquished their traditional roles at home to participate in the workforce. Work is a necessity, given the high cost of day-to-day living in Singapore.
Gendered roles have little place in the current society with all and sundry prioritising careers, so much so that most educated women only want to have a child in equal partnership spaces.
Traditional family values that emphasise a child as the crux of a family are overruled by couples remaining childless by choice. Furthermore, it is common that married partners refrain from sex due to the pressures of work and long hours.
In this digital world computer games entertain individuals rather than physical relationships.
Rajesh Hemashree
The Government has left no stone unturned to encourage young families. Fertility care is heavily subsidised at public hospitals. Both IUI and IVF have generous funding support, especially for women younger than 40 where the benefits are higher.
Patients who need preimplantation diagnosis also enjoy subsidies. There is more in the pipeline including the option for women to freeze eggs. Oncofertility choices are offered widely. But we can only take the horse to the water!
The record low fertility rate recently was attributed to the Year of the Tiger, and we are waiting for the upcoming Year of the Dragon to rescue us.
However, I share the belief that a real improvement in fertility would need a slower pace in life, a less materialistic world, and more recognition and support for the onsite care parent.
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