Chapter 2, People: A Country’s Most Precious Resource

Singapore’s population growth (1950-2000)
1950s-1960s: rapid population growth
Post-war ‘baby boom’

Problems faced:
-unemployment
-overcrowded housing (slums and squatters with unhygienic conditions)
-shortage of health care services

= posed strains on Singapore’s limited resources
= resources inadequate to provide decent standards of living


Solution (policies implemented):
-Singapore Family Planning and Population Board (set up in 1966) to reduce number of births
-Three five year plans (1966-1981)
-- 1st plan: emphasized need for small families
-- 2nd plan: promoted ‘stop at 2’ children regardless of gender of children
-- 3rd plan: aimed for maintenance of number of children born/woman at 2.1 children (number of children needed to replace population)
+Legalising abortion and encouraging use of contraceptives
+For 3rd and subsequent children, no paid maternity leave
+No priority given to large families in allocation of government flats
+No income tax relief for fourth and subsequent children
+For each additional child, delivery charges in government hospitals increased


From mid 1970s: slow population growth
Number of children born dropped to 2.1 children target (in 1975), and then dropped further
-effective government measures (polices and controls measures)
-economic and social changes
+Education changed attitudes towards marriage and children [job opportunities]
+Delay in marriage (more women entered workforce) and motherhood [changing role of women]
+Increasing number of Singaporeans remained single [children= financial liability due to high cost]

=fewer babies born


1980s
Fall in birth leads to shrinking population

Problems faced:
-shortage of manpower
-unable to produce sufficient talents
-ageing population
-fewer young workers in workforce (older workforce)
-fewer young men to serve in armed forces and defend country

= hinder development
= fewer people to drive economy and generate growth
= more resources necessary to take care of increasing number of senior citizens; strain on country’s resources


Solution (policies implemented):
-Promoting larger families (made changes to policies in 1987)
+Encouraged families to have 3+ children if they can afford it
+Income tax relief for up to 4th child
+Monthly subsidy for working mothers for each of 1st 4 children attending approved childcare centers
+Priority given to families with 3+ children for bigger government flats
+Medisave can be used for hospital, delivery charges for 1st 3 children

= limited success; many still chose to have less children

-Attracting foreign talent
+Relaxed immigration policy to attract foreigners with skills Singapore required (1989) [foreign experts and investors in MNCs]
+Subsidized housing, attractive education packages

= influx of foreigners; society more cosmopolitan, enrich culture, increase in population
= inflow of high-technology, creation of jobs requiring skills; ensured local demand, raising international image
= boost quality of manpower (unable to face stiff competition from countries e.g. HK, Taiwan with locals only)



Singapore’s ageing population
-post war baby boom—large population consisting of older workers
-fall in number of births (since 1975)
-longer life expectancy due to improvements in health care services, medical technology and high standard of living
Good health care services
= latest medical facilities and modern medicine equipped in hospitals
= well-trained doctors and nurses
=good health protection for people (e.g. every child is immunized against diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis B)
High standard of living
= clean water
=good sanitation facilities
= healthy lifestyle


Senior citizens assets to society
-educated (by 2030, estimated that 62% of citizens 65-74 years old will have at least secondary education, rather than 11% in 1995)
-health and fit
‘Back to Work’ program helps senior citizens find suitable jobs and necessary training
Retirement age from 60 to 62
able to contribute to economy and live an active life
-valuable skills, knowledge, work experience and talents
Contribute to family, looking after grandchildren, volunteer services as mentors to young people, help welfare organizations, advisers in government organizations and private companies
-promote growth of certain manufacturing and service industries
Increase in demands of certain goods and services


Impact of an ageing population
Demand for health care and social services:
-old folks more prone to age-related health problems, e.g. loss of hearing, failing eye sight, rheumatism
-smaller families, less children to care for elderly
+Community-based services (day care centers, home nursing care, befriender service, nursing homes for aged)
+Large pool of trained welfare staff required to take care of increasing number of senior citizens (geriatricians, nurses, counsellors, volunteers
+Senior citizen-friendly public facilities (support hand-bars in public toilets, lifts in MRT stations)


Strain on working people:
-government has to use more revenue to provide services and facilities required by senior citizens
+Revenue partially made up of taxes; taxes would have to be increased


Preparing for an ageing population:
-‘many helping hands’ approach
+Involvement of individual, family, and community, government support
+Reduce over dependency on government

-individual responsibility
+Attend pre-retirement talks; learn how to plan for old age
+Regular medical check-ups, lead an active and healthy lifestyle; be independent
--reduce dependency on others, and save on medical bills
+Maintain proper diet, engage in regular exercise from young
-- reduce chances of getting illnesses (diabetes, heart problems)
+Spend more time with family members and friends to strengthen bonds
--better support, active social life in old age

-family care
+Patience, show care and concern
+Ensure house is safe
+Ask for opinions and include old in family
--let them feel wanted
+Understand physical, emotional changes that occur when people grow older

-community help
+Subsidies to voluntary welfare organizations that run community-based services for senior citizens (Home Nursing Foundation, Singapore Action Group for Elders)
+Some community organizations offer free health checks and run recreational activities for senior citizens
--help senior citizens remain physically, mentally, socially active

-government support
+Tribunal for maintenance for parents
--those incapable of supporting self can go to court for financial support from children who are capable of, but do not support them
+Tax relief
--income tax reduction
--taking care of elderly parents, grandparents or great grandparents
--contributing to own or elderly dependants’ CPF accounts
+Public housing schemes
--first-time buyers of government flats can obtain housing grant if within vicinity of parent’s house
+Central Provident Fund (CPF)
--savings in special account for retirement, emergency, and investment purposes
--money from medisave can be used for medical expenses
-- CPF members can withdraw savings, leaving a minimal sum, upon age 55
--retirement account—members receive monthly sum from retirement account