Population : Singapore 3 or more

Question 1

Outline difficulties that led to the policy (7)

Answer 1

-Great success of anti-natal policy ‘Stop at 2’ in 1972
-FR->1.42 in 1986, below replacement rate
-affects future workforce and less tax revenue
-workforce can decline about 10% in the next 20-30 years
-‘greying’ : ageing pop so demand more pension, social wefare -> gov cuts spending on education, infrastructure
-issue with FDI : lack working pop, consumers

Question 2

Explain the attempted solutions to these difficulties (8)

Answer 2

INCENTIVES :
-parents receive : $3000 for 1st child, co-saving up to $9000 for 2nd child, $18000 for 3rd child
-tax rebate of $20000 for fams with 4 or more
-extended paid maternity leave 8-12 weeks : stay at home but still earn money
-couples with 2 or more own 4-room flat

DISINCENTIVES :
-couples with 0 children own 3-room flat

Question 3

Evaluate success (15)

Answer 3

moderate extent SUCCESSFUL :
-aim : increase pop by 40% in the next 40 years
-1987 : 2.3 mil -> 2020 : 5.6 mil

large extent NOT SUCCESSFUL :
-Female education :
+FR fall to <1.2 in 2011
+In 2020, 58% of women were employed, delay marriage, lowering chance of having baby because shorter fertile age range while married
+average marriage age : 28.8
-Costs of childcare :
+average cost $280000-560000
+work first to earn enough money = late marriage
+financial incentives wasn’t sufficient