The Singapore population has been on a decline and the last decade saw the island’s slowest population growth since independence. It increased from 5.077 million in 2010 to just 5.686 million in 2020, growing at a rate of 1.1 per cent each year.
More citizens choose to stay single while those married are having fewer babies. In fact, a recent report suggests that women, who were more educated, had fewer children in Singapore.
The data shared under the nation’s sixth census since Independence in 1965 revealed a drop in the number of children born to each woman. The average number of children born per resident woman between the ages 40 and 49 years dropped from 2.02 in 2010 to 1.76 in 2020.
- The data found that university graduate women had an average of 1.66 children in 2020.
- In contrast, graduate women 10 years ago gave birth to an average of 1.74 children. The number stood at 1.95 two decades ago in 2000.
- For women with secondary qualifications, the average of 1.94 children birthed per woman.
- During the same period, the number of women who remained childless increased by double digits at 13.5 per cent in 2020. This increased from 6.4 per cent in 2000, and 9.3 per cent recorded in 2010.
The survey that is undertaken every decade reveals data on demographic, social, economic and employment issues, as well as on housing, transportation, and education.
Why Educated Women Are Having Fewer Children
There are multiple factors at play here.
One of the reasons is that more Singaporeans are choosing to stay single. This has inevitably delayed the process of childbearing.
Another factor is the stressful lifestyle. Young individuals today have a renewed focus towards establishing a career over starting a family. With late hours, travel, and a hectic schedules, family has taken a backseat for many in Singapore.
Young people are also exposed to alternative viewpoints that argue if traditional marriage is necessary in the first place. This is in sharp contrast to the teachings of East Asian cultures, but personal autonomy and expression today holds more value not just for individuals but in a marriage as well.
Moreover, newer couples and individuals alike are associating parenthood with overpopulation, climate change and the resultant environmental degradation.
Another factor delaying parenthood is the aspect of planning it. With advanced medical technologies like IVF in place, young women aren’t averse to freeze their eggs or try to birth a baby beyond the age of 35 years once they are mentally and financially prepared to bear responsibility of a child.
How Many Babies Were Born In 2020?
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The census data further revealed a few more changes in the Singaporean society. Here’s a taste:
- The number of citizens rose from 3.23 million to 3.52 million in the past decade. The number of permanent residents though remained steady at about half a million.
- Singapore also saw a higher grey population in the past decade. About 15.2 per cent of the resident population was over the age of 65 years and older in 2020, witnessing a steep rise from nine per cent in 2010. Meanwhile, the median age rose from 37.4 years to 41.5 years over the same period.
- On the other hand, the population below 15 years stood at 14.5 per cent in 2020. It registered a drop when compared to 2010 when the young population stood at 17.4 per cent.
- The child dependency ratio decreased from 36.5 in 2010 to 20.6 in 2020. This ratio comprises residents aged below 20 years per 100 residents aged between 20 and 64 years.
- At the other end of the spectrum, the old-age dependency ratio went up from 13.5 in 2010 to 23.4 in 2020. This involves residents aged 64 years and over per 100 residents aged 20 to 64 years.
More Singaporeans Choose To Stay Single
The census also determined that more Singaporeans are single across all age groups over the past 10 years. The sharpest increase has been among the younger population between the ages of 25 and 34 years.
About 81.6 per cent of single men were in the age group of 25-29 years, up from 74.6 per cent a decade ago. For single women, the figure increased to 69 per cent in 2020 from 54 per cent a decade ago.
Interestingly, the data also revealed that less-educated men were more likely to stay single, whereas less educated women were more likely to get married.
More Educated Female Singaporeans Than Before
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The population data further revealed that the literacy rate on the island remained high. English was the most frequently spoken language at home for 48.3 per cent of residents over the age of five years. This number was previously 32.3 per cent in 2010.
About 58.3 per cent of residents over the age of 25 years attained post-secondary or higher-secondary qualifications between 2010-2020. This was a significant rise when compared to the figure at 46.5 per cent in 2010. The Chinese, Malay and Indian communities saw improvements in literacy numbers.
Women also fared better when it comes to education. About 22.8 per cent of women aged over 55 years achieved the post-secondary or higher educational qualification. Meanwhile, the figure stood at 34 per cent for men in the same age group.
The difference was narrower to a 2.4 per cent point difference between the ages 35-44 years. Meanwhile, between the age of 25-34 years, the literacy rate for women stood at 90.2 per cent, while men recorded a 90 per cent rate.
The data also showed that Singaporeans remained multilingual. English was the primary language, whereas 80 per cent of the population spoke a vernacular language at home.
Source: The Straits Times
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