Families • Time to change parenthood's poor 'advertising'

Recent Department of Statistics figures show that the percentage of childless, ever-married resident women aged 40 to 49 has more than doubled from 7.1 per cent in 2004 to 15 per cent in 2024 (Married without kids? It's becoming a lot more common in Singapore these days, March 2).

- Benny Lai

When viewed alongside Singapore's historically low total fertility rate, it becomes increasingly clear that parenting is losing its appeal as a life choice.

Commonly cited reasons for not having children include the high cost of living, career priorities, lifestyle changes and the immense responsibility of raising a child.

Some even point to concerns about the environment, fearing that bringing a child into an uncertain future may only lead to suffering.

Despite relentless government efforts to encourage childbirth, birth rates continue to decline with no signs of improvement. At this rate, Singapore may soon revert to its historical roots as a migrant nation.