简体中文
A couple pose for photos as they wait to solemnize their marriage at the Singapore Registry of Marriage, Dec. 12, 2012. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)
Singapore government released on Monday its new measures to promote marriage and parenthood here, including providing affordable and available public housing, assisting reproduction, as well as incentives of healthcare and paternity leave.
According to the city-state's National Population and Talent Division, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean announced the enhanced Marriage and Parenthood Package, aiming at providing more comprehensive support for Singaporeans in getting married and starting their families.
For young parents, they will get priority to buy their first public housing flat if they have to raise children below 16 years old. 30 percent of new flats will be set aside to be reserved for them, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said.
Meanwhile, those parents who are waiting for the completion of their flats, they will get affordable price to rent a flat from the Housing and Development Board.
To meet the lease demands, there will be 1,150 units of public housing flats at the end of this month, with monthly rentals of 800-1,900 Singapore dollars (656-1,557 U.S. dollars), much lower than the market prices.
For those who have difficulty in getting pregnant, the government will help pay a bigger share of Assisted Reproduction Technology treatments.
Fathers will get government-paid paternity leave of one week for more involvement in raising children. This is on top of the one-week leave they can co-share with mothers under the working mother's maternity leave entitlement of four months.
The government also announced some necessary leaves for working parents to take care of their teenage children, while adopters will get essential leaves "to support bonding with the adopted child in the child's first year".
Besides, the government also raised baby bonus cash gift too. The Central Provident Fund Medisave account for each citizen newborn with a grant of 3,000 Singapore dollars (2,459 U.S. dollars) will also be set aside for future healthcare costs.
The government said it is the third round of measures to enhance the Marriage and Parenthood Package, which will cost the government 2 billion Singapore dollars (1.64 billion U.S. dollars) a year, a rise from 1.6 billion Singapore dollars (1.31 billion U. S.dollars) budget previously.
Local media Channel NewsAsia quoted Teo as saying that Singapore's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) rose slightly last year, with 1.28-1.30 in 2012 compared with 1.2 in 2011, partly due to the "mini Dragon Year impact".
He also added the government's target is to move the total fertility rate up to 1.4 or 1.5.
The country has been suffering for quite a long time from its aging population and extreme low birth rate. According to official data, the TFR saw a steady drop from 1.6 in 2000 to 1.2 in 2011.
