Childcare costs, time with family among main challenges faced by S'porean couples: Indranee Rajah

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah provided an update on the Marriage & Parenthood Reset Workgroup's findings on Aug. 15.

Indranee, the workgroup's chairperson, said that among the biggest challenges couples in Singapore face are the cost of raising children, the need for time with family, caregiving arrangements, and housing.

New recommendations to be announced at NDR

A set of interim policy recommendations to tackle these issues will be announced during the National Day Rally by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug. 23, she said at the Pasir Ris-Changi National Day Dinner at Downtown East.

These will include taking a fresh look at costs of raising children, access to affordable infant care and childcare, and other support for families.

"Our greatest strength has been our people. In order for our nation to succeed and do well, we need Singaporeans," she stressed.

Lowest TFR to date

However, Singapore's Total Fertility Rte (TFR) dropped to an all time low of 0.87 in 2025.

According to Indranee, there were fewer than 30,000 live births, an 11.4 per cent drop from 2024.

Marriages have also been declining, she said, which is likely to translate to fewer births.

There were about 24,700 registered marriages in 2025, a 6.2 per cent drop from 2024.

"But we are not content to sit back and do nothing."

Indranee pledged that her team would work to make marriage and parenthood more achievable, supported and valued in Singapore.

To date, the group has spoken to many Singaporeans about the issue, as well as their aspirations and concerns, she added.

She said "what is clear is that many do aspire to get married and have children", but they face a host of challenges.

A full report by the workgroup will be released in early 2027.