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Summary
Singapore’s birth rate has dropped below 1.0, and while robots are helping fill labour shortages, the country faces growing demographic challenges. The issue is also a global trend in South Korea and other nations like Nigeria
Singapore, a highly developed central country in Southeast Asia, now faces serious issues of going extinct as the birth rate in the country has plunged to a historic low, reaching just 0.97 children per woman. This birth rate decline is far below the 2.1 replacement rate required to sustain the population.
According to Newsweek, the decline in birth rates poses significant challenges for Singapore’s future, including a shrinking workforce and an ageing population. By 2030, nearly a quarter of Singapore’s population will be over 65 years old, a demographic shift that is already straining the economy and healthcare systems. Currently, there are just four working adults for every senior citizen, compared to six in 2014.
The steep decline is attributed to several factors, including the high cost of childcare, long working hours, and societal pressures on women. Many women are opting out of having children or delaying parenthood, and also shouldering the burdens of balancing career ambitions with family life. It has also been proven that women do about 80% of house chores including child care. Further complicating this issue is a lack of support for mothers, who often feel unappreciated and overburdened by childcare responsibilities..
“I’m Singaporean and I’m 50/50 on having a kid. There’s too much financial responsibility right now, from paying bills for the household, taking care of your old folks and saving some money for rainy days. How can I afford a baby when I’m already being squeezed dry?” @uwehpapi also commented in reaction to the news.
However, the government is urging companies to hire more older workers while simultaneously embracing technology as a solution. Singapore, which boasts the world’s second-highest robot density after South Korea, is increasingly turning to automation and robotics to fill labour gaps. Robots are already stepping in across industries, from manufacturing to food delivery, to support sectors struggling with worker shortages.
The situation in Singapore mirrors trends in other countries facing similar demographic crises. South Korea, for instance, has seen its birth rate plummet to 0.72, the lowest among OECD nations. This global trend of falling birth rates is concerning for many nations, including Nigeria, which ranks 41st globally in terms of declining fertility.
