1. The Singapore Population Policy
Why did Singapore need to control its population and what measures did it take?

2. Background Information
Singapore is a group of Islands located off the coast of Malaysia
Describe its location in the world.

3. What is Singapore like? Former British Colony
Very strong market based economy
Unemployment is 2%
Poverty levels are low compared to other countries
They have a welfare system similar to the UK
Highest percentage of millionaire households ($US) in the world (15%)
GDP - $52,100 (9th in world)

4. Singapore and its population
Population – 5.7 million
Population growth rate – 1.6% (was 0.8%)
TFR rate = 1.3 children per woman
Fits stage 5 of the DTM
Has had a number of population manipulation policies
One of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world
Life expectancy – 82.1 years
Average aged person is in their mid 30’s

5. Analysing Singapore’s population pyramid 2017
Narrow top of pyramid indicating ageing population
Huge number of people in active working age
Other pyramids do show the population slowly starting to recover
Small base indicating declining birth-rate

6. Why was a population policy introduced?

7. What did they do?
In 1986 the government decided to introduce the ’Have Three or More’, if you can afford it' policy
1986: “Have Three or More, If You Can Afford It’ – tax rebates for 3rd children, subsidies for daycare, priority in allocation of education and housing, MEDISAVE will pay for the delivery charges for the first 3 children
2001: baby bonus scheme which was enhanced in 2004:
extend maternity leave, cash gifts, monetary contributions in children’s bank accounts
Ensure government jobs are only 5 days a week and pay grandparents $3000 for caring for each child

8. What did they do?

9. What happened?
The government encouraged immigration to cover the shortages of workers
However, the workers were career focused and not very interested in having children

10. Were the policies effective?