The pandemic not only hit economies worldwide, it also pushed down the number of births and marriages back home in Singapore.
According to the government’s annual Population in Brief report–released on Tuesday (September 28)–citizen marriages went down by 12.3 per cent, while fertility rate decreased from 1.14 in 2019 to 1.10 in 2020.
Pandemic Nuptial Figures In Singapore Go Down After The Pandemic
Image courtesy: iStock
The report noted that “coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings could have led couples to defer their marriages.”
According to the report, in 2020, Singapore had 19,430 citizen marriages, which is down by 12.3% when compared to the 22,165 citizen marriages in 2019.
“In fact, 2020 numbers are at their lowest since 1986,” the report says.
Second-quarter of 2020 saw the biggest decline in nuptials
Image courtesy: Department of Statistics
On a quarterly basis, the largest decline in the numbers from 2019 was seen in the second quarter of 2020.
This is the time when in-person solemnisations were postponed amid the circuit breaker period from April 7 to June 1 last year. A total of 2,200 marriages were held in that quarter, down from 4,800 the previous year.
In addition, from mid-May last year, caps on the number of attendees were raised and receptions were allowed to resume in August. But in spite of the easing in the measures, people continued to postpone their plans.
Fourth-quarter of 2020 saw an uptick in nuptials
Demand started to get better in the fourth quarter of 2020 when around 7,700 marriages were held. This is in comparison to 6,900 in 2019.
The uptick was due to relaxed restrictions to allow more attendees at receptions and solemnisation.
Proportion of Transnational Marriages Fell
The pandemic nuptial figures Singapore report noted that the decrease may have happened partly due to coronavirus led travel restrictions.
From March 2020, all the non-residents required-entry approval to enter the city island. Even though video-link solemnisation was allowed from Mid-May 2020 onwards, both the parties still needed to be physically present in Singapore.
The proportion of inter-ethnic marriages among the citizen marriages, which is about one in five-stayed constant.
Low Births Witnessed In 2020
Image courtesy: iStock
The report further highlighted that the number of citizen births dropped to 31,816 in 2020, from 32,844 in 2019.
“Over the last five years (2016 to 2020), there were about 32,500 citizen births on average each year, slightly more than the average of 32,400 each year in the preceding five-year period (2011 to 2015),” the report stated.
A similar pattern was also noticed in other countries like Japan, Italy and United States. This could thus, reflect the impact of uncertainties and health concerns arising from coronavirus on parenthood decisions.
It added that the full impact of the pandemic still remains to be seen because most of the births in 2020 were conceived prior to the pandemic.
However, babies born in the fourth quarter of 2020, would have been conceived around the start of the pandemic in Singapore.
The lower number of births–around 8,000 compared to 8,700 in the same period in 2019–suggest that many couples may have postponed their plans amid the pandemic.
Singapore’s Fertility Rate Slipped
Screenshot courtesy: Department of Statistics
The island’s resident total fertility rate (TFR) remained below replacement rate. It decreased from 1.14 in 2019 to 1.1 in 2020.
The following observations were made:
- Only Malays’ TFR increased, from 1.8 in 2019 to 1.82 in 2020.
- TFR declined for Indians, from 0.98 in 2019 to 0.96 in 2020
- Similarly, TFR slipped in Chinese as well, from 0.99 to 0.94
The report mentioned that Singapore’s low TFR was due to the general trend of late marriages and childbearing.
Median Age Figures For Marriage And Parenthood
The report further noted that in 2020, the median age at first marriage was 30.1 for citizen grooms. It was 28.4 for citizen brides. On the other hand, the median age of citizen mums at the birth of their first child was 30.8 years.
The figures were similar to 2019.
Then in June 2020, NPTD conducted a survey including 4,000 Singaporeans. It was found that half of them were single but in a serious relationship, while the other half were married.
Around seven in the 10 respondents had shared that they would proceed with their marriage plans and will go on to have kids. The remainder, on the other hand, said they were delaying, but not cancelling their plans.
Singapore Population Falls by 4.1%
Screenshot courtesy: Department of Statistics
Singapore’s population dipped by 4.1% year over year, it was mainly due to an exodus of foreign workers, students and residents amid tight Covid controls in the city-state.
It is in fact, the sharpest fall since the government began collecting such data in 1950.
Ageing
The report also talked about the rising ageing population of people above the age of 65. It is due to the increasing life expectancy and low fertility rates that the population of this age group is rising and at a faster pace compared to the last decade.
Baby Support Grant Announced To Encourage Parents To Proceed With Parenthood
The report also noted that the Singapore government had introduced a $3,000 baby support grant in 2020, to encourage couples to proceed with their parenthood plans.
Under this scheme, couples with (citizen) children born from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2022, will be eligible for a one-off incentive. This supplements the existing baby bonus cash gift of up to $10,000.
The report mentioned that the government will continue to partner with corporates, employees and community groups to build Singapore that is made for families.
It remains to be seen how the schemes and government endeavours (which have been widely appreciated) will impact the birth rate numbers and pandemic nuptial figures in Singapore in the coming year.
Source: Strategy Group
ALSO READ:
Celebrity Couples With Babies Due In 2021
Homeschooling During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Coping Tips For Parents and Kids