Let's not condemn Singaporeans to extinction

In a feature article, SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology Paulin Tay Straughan wrote that neglecting the need to increase the size of Singapore’s population is nothing short of irresponsible and does not bode well for future generations. Given the correlation between population growth and economic health, our ageing labour force puts us at a disadvantage when competing with the younger and lower-cost labour force in emerging markets. Relying primarily on immigration for population augmentation is not sustainable in the long run. However, there is still hope for Singapore to reverse the declining fertility rate. Singapore must persevere in its society-wide efforts to become more pro-family by removing the barriers that make it difficult to get married and raise families.