Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong says the government will move away from relying heavily on “baby bonuses” or other pro-natalist incentives as the city-state faces a record-low fertility rate. Speaking at a Singapore Press Club dialogue, Wong acknowledges that government measures have limited ability to reverse declining birth rates, a trend he said is also affecting countries worldwide.
Instead of framing policy primarily as an incentive to encourage additional children, Wong says Singapore will place more emphasis on improving the day-to-day experience of having and raising a family. The government’s approach reflects a broader reassessment of how to respond to sustained demographic decline, including the practical and financial pressures that can shape family planning decisions.
The statements align across outlets, with both reporting that Wong characterizes incentives as less central going forward and points to a shift toward broader family-support efforts. The focus remains on addressing low fertility, while recognizing that policy tools may not be able to fully counter longer-term demographic forces.
