Data on Gap Between Desired and Actual Number of Children Among Singaporeans over Past Five Years, and Key Driving Factors

Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether available data indicates if the gap between Singaporeans' desired and actual number of children has widened or narrowed over the past five years; and (b) what is the Government's assessment on the primary factors behind such a trend.

Ms Indranee Rajah (for the Prime Minister): Data on Singaporeans' desired and actual number of children is collected through a Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Survey conducted every four to five years. Based on the most recent findings from the 2021 M&P Survey, the vast majority (92%) of married respondents indicated a preference to have two or more children. In practice, about half of married respondents (51%) had fewer than two children. The 2026 M&P Survey is currently underway.

The cited barriers to fully realising parenthood aspirations are multifaceted. Most common ones include financial cost, stress of raising children as well as difficulty managing work and family demands. The current M&P Reset Workgroup is studying these barriers and will share its recommendations in early 2027. The recommendations will go beyond Government action to the role played by employers, community organisations and the wider society.