One of the aims of Future of Singapore website is to curate articles that are of interest to Singapore and Singaporeans.
Singapore’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is a pressing issue because it has fallen to a historic low of 0.87 in 2025, one of the lowest globally. This threatens long-term population sustainability, economic growth, and social stability, with projections showing the citizen population could begin shrinking by the early 2040s if trends continue.
📉 Why Low TFR Is a Problem
- Population decline: With fewer births, Singapore’s citizen population will shrink, leading to a smaller workforce and higher dependency ratios.
- Economic impact: A shrinking labor pool affects productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
- Social sustainability: Fewer young people mean greater pressure on healthcare, pensions, and eldercare systems.
- National security & identity: Declining citizen numbers may weaken social cohesion and long-term resilience.
3rd March 2026
Singapore’s government will accept up to 30,000 new citizens annually over the next five years in response to demographic trends, including declining total fertility rates (TFR). Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced the citizenship expansion during the Prime Minister’s Office budget debate, noting that last year approximately 25,000 citizenships were granted.
“We will adjust based on demographic trends, including TFR,” said Gan, speaking to the Strait Times on Friday, 27-Feb-2026.
Beyond citizenship, Singapore will also adjust the number of permanent residents (PR) accepted. PR status serves as the primary pathway to citizenship in the nation. Gan noted that Singapore’s PR population currently stands at a relatively stable 540,000 over recent years. The government estimates accepting approximately 40,000 PRs annually over the next five years, a modest increase from the 35,000 granted last year.
However, Gan emphasised that the precise number of immigrants accepted will be reviewed annually, with adjustments made considering TFR trends, other demographic factors, and the number and quality of applicants.
Beyond population factors, the government is also considering infrastructure readiness and society’s social capacity to receive newcomers. Gan revealed that Singapore’s citizen population growth has continued to slow, with growth rates declining from 0.9 per cent to 0.8 per cent, then 0.7 per cent last year.
Looking ahead, he said citizen population growth is expected to slow further to approximately 0.5 per cent annually, though this remains dependent on maintaining acceptable birth rates.
“Even with growth of around half a percent, it remains challenging because it depends on TFR,” said Gan.
21 May 2026
Channel News Asia (CNA) explores the TFR question on May 21, 2026 in Deep Dive Podcast
Singapore’s falling fertility rate is now framed as a national problem to solve. But for a growing number of couples, having children simply isn’t part of their plans. How have our attitudes towards parenthood changed and what does the rise of the “dual income, no kids” or DINK lifestyle say about the country’s future? In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Alisa Chopard, a 39-year-old who has chosen not to have children, and 31-year-old Alicia Lim, who hopes to start a family soon, to unpack the pressures surrounding couples in Singapore today.
Highlights:
01:21 Reasons for not wanting kids
04:37 Why some still want kids
07:05 Are Singaporeans overthinking parenthood?
08:53 The lifelong weight of having kids
12:11 Is Singapore set up to raise families?
13:57 Are trying to over-optimise our lives?
16:07 Can Singaporeans have it all?
20:19 Missing out on your child’s milestones
24:40 What makes parenthood worth it?
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