1. 1 Project Work Group: YJ019 Members: Ho Wei Jian Anthony Kawi Mak Mok Xiuwen Sathish S/O Ramani

2. 2 Presentation Order - Anthony Kawi Mak6) Conclusion & Overview of Project - Mok Xiuwen - Sathish S/O Ramani 5) Group’s Proposed Ideas - Anthony Kawi Mak - Mok Xiuwen 4) Evaluation Of Prediction - Anthony Kawi Mak3) Looking Forward [10 yrs time...] - Ho Wei Jian - Anthony Kawi Mak 2) Reasons Of Decline Of Birth Rate - Ho Wei Jian1) Rationale Of Project Presented bySection

3. 3 SECTION 1 Rationale Of Project

4. 4 1.1 Why Did We Choose This Project ? Singapore is a small country Reliance on its human population to keep the country running Future of Singapore left at stake Section 1: Rationale Of Project

5. 5 1.2 Trend of Singapore’s Birth Rate Decline in Singapore’s Birth Rate Started from 1970s Section 1: Rationale Of Project Decreasing 3.07 1.82 1.80 1.60 1.25 Total Fertility Rate [TFR] Year HISTORIC LOW !

6. 6 SECTION 2: Why Has the Birth Rate Declined? Over Effective Government Policies Over Effective Government Policies Rise In Abortion Rate Rise In Abortion Rate Rise In Single Hood Rise In Single Hood Rise In Late Marriages Rise In Late Marriages Rise In Smaller Family Sizes Rise In Smaller Family Sizes

7. 7 2.1 Over Effective Government Policies Policies in the past aimed –Smaller Families (2 child / family) Policies implemented –Paid voluntary sterilization Effect –Policies implemented were too successful causing a huge decline in birth rate. Section 2: Why Has The Birth Rate Declined?

8. 8 In 2001, its about 1 abortion : 5 births Important pointers –Youths from 13-21 need not get parental consent –Abortion is a very quick process Effect –Many people Easily aborted their child –If there is no abortion done, 2.1 TFR will be HIT 2.2 Rise In Abortion Rate Section 2: Why Has The Birth Rate Declined?

9. 9 8 % increase since 1980s Due to –Career being put as first priority –Singapore’s fast paced & competitive working society Effect –No babies being produced –Birth rate falls 2.3 Rise In Single Hood Rate Section 2: Why Has The Birth Rate Declined?

10. 10 2.4 Rise In Late Marriages Due to –Singapore’s high cost of living –Singaporeans find marriage is not meaningful Effect –Decreasing fertility level in women –Decrease in chances for more babies being produced Year Gender 1980s2000s Brides25 yrs27 yrs Groom28 yrs30 yrs Section 2: Why Has The Birth Rate Declined?

11. 11 2.5 Smaller Family Size During 1970s, Birth Rate was 3.07 In 2003, Birth Rate was 1.25 Due to –Singaporeans want their child to be an all-rounder –Value of children dropped over the years. Effect –About 1 child in per household OR Section 2: Why Has The Birth Rate Declined?

12. 12 SECTION 3: Looking Forward Our PredictionOur Prediction 2004 National Day Rally2004 National Day Rally High Cost Of LivingHigh Cost Of Living High Status Of Education in WomenHigh Status Of Education in Women

13. 13 3.1 Our Prediction Singapore’s Birth Rate will only increase by a small margin over the next ten years Predicted Birth Rate Over Next 10 Years 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 1980199020002003200420082014 Year Total Fertility Rate Section 3: Looking Forward

14. 14 3.2 2004 National Day Rally Aim –Encourage Singaporeans to give birth –Bring across the message that family time is important Result –More money incentives –Improved social incentives From the group’s survey, people wanted better incentives, especially social incentives Section 3: Looking Forward

15. 15 3.3 High Cost Of Living Cost of living in Singapore will still be very high Singapore’s economy is easily affected by external factors e.g. Terrorist attacks in other countries [ECONOMY DOWNTURN] Couples have greater desire to be financially stable before marriage Late marriages increases Section 3: Looking Forward

16. 16 3.4 High Education Status In Women Increasing education level among women –no. of families with 2 working parents increases –Reliable child care & infant care is needed –More couples are staying far from their parents, hence it is inconvenient for their children to be taken care of by their parents Result = Increased reluctance to give birth Section 3: Looking Forward

17. 17 SECTION 4: Evaluation Of The Prediction Effects Effects –Positive Effects –Negative Effects The Need To Change Trend The Need To Change Trend

18. 18 +VE Smaller Classroom sizes -VE Weaker Defence Sector More Significant Ageing Population 4.1 Effects Section 4: Evaluation Of The Prediction

19. 19 NEGATIVE EFFECTS POSITIVE EFFECTS 4.2 The Need To Reverse the Declining Birth Rate Poorer Defence Poorer Economy Better Education Section 4: Evaluation Of The Prediction

20. 20 NEGATIVE EFFECTS POSITIVE EFFECTS Section 4: Evaluation Of The Prediction 4.2 The Need To Reverse the Declining Birth Rate

21. 21 SECTION 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate More Speed Dating ServicesMore Speed Dating Services Subsidised Baby SittersSubsidised Baby Sitters Free EducationFree Education Limiting AbortionLimiting Abortion

22. 22 From our research, speed dating does help people to get married. –More University Graduates are getting married through speed dating Set up speed-dating companies/programs (mass media) Workers are to publicize the speed dating idea to the public 5.1 Speed Dating Section 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate

23. 23 Speed Dating AIM Encourage Couples To Get Married Busy Working Adults Target Benefits Enables Adults to find a suitable Partner despite a busy schedule Benefits Given To Society Section 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate

24. 24 Baby Sitters To Be Bonded To Hospitals 5.2 Subsidising Baby Sitters Step 1: Baby Sitters To Be Licensed and Subsidised Step 2: Bond Baby Sitters To Hospitals Our Survey showed that 65% of the public would hire a baby sitter if it is easily obtainable. Hiring an easily obtainable person, would solve the problem of finding someone to look after their child. Section 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate

25. 25 Subsidising & Bonding Baby Sitters To Hospitals AIM Provide Infant Care Services Baby Sitters Parents Target Eases Difficulty in finding Infant Care Baby Sitters More Baby Sitters to get employed easily Parents Section 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate Benefits Given To Society

26. 26 5.3 Free Education Free education will be implemented by: 1.Junior College [JC2] 2.Polytechnic Education* Secondary Four / Five Primary Six Free Edu Ceasing level Third Second First Child 17/18/19 years old Till end of course 16/17 years old 12 years old Free Edu Ceasing Age *For polytechnic education, the course that the student takes, will only be subsidized by 5%.* Section 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate

27. 27 Free Education AIM Eliminate Cost Factor For Education Society Parents Cost Not A Factor In Sending Child to Tertiary Education Society Section 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate Benefits Given To Society Target More Skilled Workers in the Future 1.Junior College [JC2] 2.Polytechnic Education* Secondary Four / Five Free Edu Ceasing level Third Second Child 17/18/19 years old Till end of course 16/17 years old Free Edu Ceasing Age

28. 28 5.4 Limiting Abortion ConditionSingaporean Women limited to: Year 2005 & 20062 Abortions (2 Child within the 2 years) Year 2007 & above1 Abortion (1 Child in their lifetime) *Abortion will be allowed to take place under rape or incest cases or cases whereby an abortion is needed to save the woman.* Abortion will be limited using the following conditions: Section 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate

29. 29 Limiting Abortion AIM Abortion Rate to be below 1,500 babies aborted/yr Society Target Society Promotes Pro-Life Discourages people to ‘play’ Section 5: Group’s Proposed Idea’s to Increase Birth Rate Benefits Given To Society

30. 30 Conclusion Of Project National Day Rally 2004 [1.45 TFR / 2014 yr] –Money Incentives (Improved Baby Bonus) –Social Incentives (Maternity Leave / 5day work wk) Our Proposed Ideas –Convenience (Baby Sitter) –Social Benefits (Speed Dating) Result –[1.65 TFR / 2014 yr]

31. 31 Overview Of Project  Rational of project  Identified the reasons for a declining trend  Predicted a marginal increase over the next 10 years  Identified negative & positive impacts of the Prediction  Proposed ideas to further improve our predicted marginal trend  Conclusion Of Project

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