INTER-MINISTERIAL POPULATION COMMITTEE

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Health what is the status of the Inter-Ministerial Population Committee set up in 1984 and what have been its recommendations.

BG George Yong-Boon Yeo: In 1984, the Inter-Ministerial Population Committee (IMPC) was formed to review Singapore's population trends and policies and to make recommendations on long term measures to bring about the desired population size and composition.

Based on the IMPC's deliberations and recommendations, the Government adopted in 1987 the message "Have three, and more if you can afford it" as the guide in the formulation of future population policies in Singapore. The Government also announced an extensive package of population policy measures to encourage higher fertility on 1st March 1987.

The IMPC, through the Population Planning Unit of the Ministry of Health, closely monitors population trends and responses to the new population policies. Adjustments in population policy measures are made periodically.