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Too early to review fertility schemes: DPM Wong
SINGAPORE: Schemes to boost Singapore's fertility rate will be reviewed when the time is right, said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.
Mr Wong said this in response to a question in parliament from MPs, who wanted to know what new strategies the government will pursue to increase the fertility rate among Singaporeans.
The country's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) hit an all-time low of 1.16 last year.
Mr Wong, who is also the minister in charge of population issues, said it is too early to assess the effectiveness of the current schemes, as they have only been in place for two-and-a half years.
The schemes include the Baby Bonus package, increased maternity and childcare leave, as well as higher childcare subsidies.
"I think the issue is far more complex than putting in more money or encouraging people to have babies," Mr Wong said.
"And as Mr Hri Kumar pointed out, we have certainly seen a change in values and mindset in the way people perceive marriage and having children.
We know some people who can well afford to have many children, but they have very few. And some who can't afford to have children, and they have many. So when we deal with human beings, talking about emotions and peoples' needs, I don't think there's a single answer to deal with this issue."
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