Chapter 2Population Policy
Recap
The 4 functions of the
government
4 guiding principles that the government
follows
Population Policy
1. Why do we need to study about population policy?
2. How does the government manage the population?
Background (1960s-1980s)Singapore was progressing as a nation.
The future seems brighter.
Background
People started having bigger families.
What’s wrong with having big families?
Imagine
If your family is living on a ship, with limited food, water and space, what happens when your parents have more children?
Impacts of population explosion
Insufficient Employment
Insufficient Housing
Insufficient Healthcare Services
Insufficient Education Services
Then,Let’s have a small small small
population. Then,We shall have no problems!
What’s wrong with having small
families?
Imagine
If your family is living on a ship, with limited food, water and space, what happens when your brothers and sisters fall sick and died, leaving you and your parents on the ship?
Impact of declining birthrate
Economic Slowdown
Ageing Population
Weak Defence Force
Economic SlowdownMultinational companies will be uninterested to set up their businesses in Singapore.
High Labour Costs
Insufficient Talent
Small Consumer Market
Ageing PopulationLess young children, more old peopleSingapore will have to focus her resources and time on caring for old people.
Weak Defence ForceLess men to serve in NS and fight for the country.
A Short Summary
Insufficient EmploymentInsufficient HousingInsufficient HealthcareServicesInsufficient Education Services
Economic SlowdownAgeing PopulationWeak Defence Force
Growth
Development
What did Singapore do when she
experienced a huge population increase?
Set upSingapore Family Planning and Population Board
Aim: Control population growth
3 Five-Year Plans 1st planEmphasise the need for smaller families
2nd planEncourage married couples to ‘stop at 2’
3rd planAim to maintain the replacement level at 2.1 children
5-Year
5-Year
5-Year
Other measures (pg. 42) No paid maternity leave to be given to the
3rd and subsequent children
No priority to be given to large families in the allocation of government flats
No income tax relief to be given for the 4th
and subsequent children
Other measures (pg. 42) Increased delivery charges in hospitals
with each additional child
Encouraged contraception
Legalised abortion
Results of these Five-Year Plans
SUCCESSFULBy 1980s Declining birth rate Fertility rate is at 1.82
1960s 1980s
60 000 40 000
Population Pyramid
Population Pyramid
Population Pyramid
Oh no!Now, the Singapore government has to increase the population.
Graduate Mothers Scheme
3 or More if You can Afford It
Pro-family Measures
Attract Foreign Talents
Graduate Mothers Scheme
1
=
Why?
Education Level of Parents
Performance of their
Children in Schools
Highly-educated
New Generation of
Workforce
Successful?1. Less-educated felt ignored by
the policy. 2. They were unhappy about
this policy. 3. The scheme was stopped
after 1 year.Zero
Success
Three or More if You can Afford it
2
2. Three or more if you can afford it
Singapore General Hospital
Mode of Delivery
Hospital charges
A1 (single) B1 (4-bed)
Normal $3,000 - $3,300 $2,700 - $3,000
Caesarean section $6,000 - $6,500 $5,700 - $6,000
2. Three or more if you can afford itIntroduced measures such as
Use Medisave to pay for the delivery charges of the first three children.
Successful?1. Not all married couples wanted so many children.
2. Some felt that government was not doing enough to
promote population growth.
Limited Success
Pro-family Measures
3
Why?High Costs of Raising Children
Lack of Suitable Childcare Services
3. Other pro-family measures
Equalised Medical Benefits
Grandparent Caregiver Relief
5-day work week for Civil Service
Extended Maternity Leave
Successful?Singapore’s birthrate continued to drop.
1.24Singapore 2004 Fertility Rate
Limited Success
Attract Foreign Talents
4
Why?
Improve quality of manpower in Singapore
Create more jobs Increase work force’s productivity
Easier Entry Requirements
SubsidisedHousing
Attractive Education Package for Foreign
Talent Children
The Singapore government relaxes immigration policy to attract foreign talent to work and stay in Singapore.
A comment by a blue-collarSingaporean worker
“Aiyah the government give this, give that to the angmo. But do the government know that these ang mo will always go back to their own country once they earn our money??”
Successful?More foreigners make Singapore their home.
Success
Short SummaryMeasures to increase the population.
Graduate Mothers Scheme
3 or More if You can Afford It
Pro-family Measures
Attract Foreign Talents
3 factors that led to an ageing population
1960s’ Baby Boomers
Declining Birth Rates
Longevity
What’s so goodabout old people?
What’s so bad about old people?
Population Pyramid
Population Pyramid
Population Pyramid
Impacts of ageing population
Demand for more Healthcare
and SocialServices
Smaller SecurityForces
Reduction in Competitiveness
Strain on Working
Population
Solutions
Solutions
Senior Citizens as assets to
society
‘Many Helping Hands’
approach
Senior Citizens as assets to society
1
To ensure that these people remain as contributing members of society.
Because they have valuable skills, knowledge, talentand work experience.
To provide opportunities for these elderly to add value to public and private organisationsTo help boost family life.
A positive image of senior citizensA positive attitude towards ageing.
‘Many Helping Hands’ approach
2
Everyone has a part to play in helping the nation prepare for an ageing population.
Resourcescan be saved
for other needs of the
nation.
Government’s burden is lessened.
Individual Family Community
Government
Individual
1
Be healthy by having a healthy lifestyle
Be financially stable by planning financial
You
IndividualBe self-sufficient in their old age. Age gracefully.
GovernmentSave money by building less social and welfare facilities
Family
2
FamilyA strong and stablefamily becomes the main emotional, social and financial support for the elderly.
Aim1. Help family
bond
2. Stay strongand stable
Encourage elderly to stay active in the family and community
Show appreciation for the elderly.
Community
3
Community provides 1. Social and Emotional
Support, 2. Healthcare Services and 3. Social Services
Home Nursing Foundation for Elders
Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs)Home Nursing Foundation for Elders
Run community-based services for senior citizens
Help senior citizens remain physically, mentally and socially active
Financially supported by the government
VWOs
Community The community acts as a replacement for senior citizens who have no families to support them emotionally and financially.
Government
4
GovernmentSingapore Government supports an ageing population through
Financial Legal
GovernmentFinanceTax Relief
Income tax deduction for taking care of your grandparents
CPFElderly receive a monthly sum from their CPF retirement account
LegalTribunal for the Maintenance of Parents
Parents can get the court’s help to seek financial support from their children
Public Housing schemes You get priority to buy houses if you stay with your grandparents
A Short Summary
Individual Family Community Government
Solutions
Senior Citizens as assets to
society
‘Many Helping Hands’
approach
Population PolicySummary
Control Population Growth• ‘Stop at 2’ Policy
Encourage Population Growth• Graduate Mothers’ Scheme• 3 or More if You can Afford It• Pro –family Measures• Attract Foreign Talent
Prepare for an Ageing Population• Senior Citizens as Assets to Society• ‘Many Helping Hands’ approach
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