A YouGov survey indicates that nearly one in four Singaporeans aged 18 to 44 do not intend to have children.
Key facts
- •A YouGov survey conducted in July polled Singaporeans aged 18 to 44.
- •Nearly 25% of respondents indicated they do not intend to have children.
- •Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is scheduled to discuss family support plans at the National Day Rally.
- •Freelance workers cited income instability as a barrier to parenthood.
- •Concerns regarding limited personal time and work-life balance were identified as key factors.
A new YouGov survey reveals that nearly one in four Singaporeans between the ages of 18 and 44 have no children and do not plan to have them. The findings emerge as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong prepares to address family-related challenges during his upcoming National Day Rally speech on Sunday. The data highlights a potential factor contributing to Singapore’s record-low fertility rate.
Reasons for choosing child-free living
Residents cite concerns over financial stability, time constraints, and the preservation of personal identity as primary reasons for opting out of parenthood. For some, the nature of freelance work and the perceived lack of work-life balance in the city-state make raising children feel incompatible with their current lifestyles.
Challenges of work-life balance
Zahir, a 42-year-old content creator, noted that the demands of a stable 9-to-5 job could further erode work-life balance. He stated that time is a significant struggle for citizens, noting that after accounting for work and sleep, there are few hours left in the day.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by South China Morning Post.
