Changing times, changing needs. A case study of Singpore's population policy

1. Graduate Mother's Scheme Introduced in 1984 to encourage marriages among graduates and also to encourage graduates to have more children to ensure a more educated workforce in the future.Education level of the parents had a direct impact on the performance of their children in schools.Under this scheme, children of graduate mother will receive priority in registration to primary school of choice.Hence, the privileges granted to graduate mother will reassure them of their ability to provide the very best for their children. With less stress on ensuring their children will not suffer any educational disadvantage, as parents will be assured that their children can attend the best school in Singapore, graduate couples will be more willing to have children.2. 'Three or More If You Can Afford It'Introduce in 1897 to encourage parents to have more than two children if they could afford it.Under this scheme, the government allowed the use of Medisave to pay for the delivery charges of the first 3 children.Hence, this will reduce the financial burden on the parents, who can then save the money and spent it on the necessary their baby will need.3. Other Pro-Family MeasuresIntroduce since 2004. Equalised medical benefits for both parents, previously only fathers could make medical claims from their employers. This can help encourage Singaporeans to give birth to more children as financial burdens that raising young children, who are more susceptible to falling sick, is reduced.Grandparents caregiver relief, income tax of $3000 if a grandparent is helping the couple to take care of their child. This can help encourage Singaporeans to give birth to more children as it help reduce the cost of young families in raising their children, while getting more family support in taking care of children. Parents can feel more confident that their children are in safe hands while they are at work.5-days work week for the Civil Service, to allow civil servants the weekend off from work. It helps create better work-life balance, and enable young families to spend more quality time together and enjoy being a family. This can help encourage Singaporeans to give birth to more children as they can build strong family bonds and provide the emotional support that their children needs.Extended maternity leave, from 8 weeks to 12 weeks, and 12 weeks to 16 weeks in 2008. This can help encourage Singaporeans to give birth to more children as mothers are given more time to recuperate physically and bond with their infant child while being paid which helps to alleviate the financial burden of raising children.4. Attracting Foreign TalentGovernment recognised the need to bring in foreign talent from other countries in order to enhance Singapore's economic competitiveness. Especially as pro-family measures take time to take effect.In 1989, Government released its immigrant policy to allow for easier entry into Singapore.Hence, by relaxing its immigration policy, many foreigners are attracted and able to enter the country easily to get the jobs that they want. this will already increase the number of people in Singapore. As they stay longer in the country, some of these foreigners will be willing to take up Singapore citizenship and marry fellow Singaporeans and start families, or bring their families over to live in Singapore which can also increase population in the country.