COVID-19 virus has affected the whole aspects of human life. Many people have lost jobs and there are uncertainties ahead. The future seems bleak and hence many aspiring parents have decided to push forward with their parenthood due to the pandemic.

Realizing this, Singapore has decided to offer aspiring parents a one-time payment as an incentive to go ahead and plan and deliver their baby.

COVID-19 pandemic and the delaying of parenthood

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a drastic change in the lives of people worldwide. A lot of compromises are being made to deal with the various problems that the virus is causing now and in the future.

And some aspiring parents have decided to postpone their pregnancy planning and parenthood due to the virus. The financial strain on couples and families is high and many people have also lost their jobs.

Realizing this, the government of Singapore has decided to offer aspiring parents a one-time payment for getting pregnant. Singapore’s deputy prime minister said that this payment will help reassure people who are facing financial woes.

Singapore and its new incentive for aspiring parents

The deputy PM of Singapore, Heng Swee Keat told on Monday 5 October 2020:

“We have received feedback that Covid-19 has caused some aspiring parents to postpone their parenthood plans,”

“This is fully understandable, especially when they face uncertainty with their income,”

Though Keng talked about this new scheme for aspiring parents, he did not specify the amount of money that each household would get for it. He said that this money would help parents to meet the various expenses of pregnancy and labor.

Singapore has managed to deal with the pandemic successfully. But it could avoid economic downfall. It is now thrown into a deep recession. In the second quarter, its GDP sunk by 12.6%. Besides, Singapore has one of the lowest rates of birth in the world. Every government had tried to reverse it but in vain.

Singapore’s national stats

National stats reveal an average fertility rate of 1.14 births per woman. Hence, Singapore is on par with Hong Kong as regards fertility and birth rates. South Korea and the US territory of Puerto Rico are the only two countries whose birth rates are lower than that of Singapore.

To maintain its population at a steady level, a country should have a fertility rate of 2.1 babies per woman. But most developed world countries also have lower fertility rates. This is because the proportion of couples has come down. Additionally, traditional gender roles no more exist.

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Various campaigns and tax and financial benefits to increase childbirth in the small country have failed. A 2011 report of the government had said:

“Like many developed countries, Singapore’s key population challenges are our low fertility and an aging population. Our aim is to achieve a sustainable population that supports both economic growth and social cohesion so that Singapore remains vibrant and liveable.”