, Singapore

Look at these reasons Singaporeans have for not bearing more children

Thankfully, 80% of singles have strong parenthood goals.

According to the Marriage and Parenthood Study by the National Population and Talent Division, 80% of singles who indicated a desired number of children wanted to have 2 or more children.

Here's more from NPTD:

This is comparable to 84% in 2007. Among married respondents, 84% intended to have 2 or more children in 2012, similar to the 84% in 2007 and higher than the 76% in 2004.

Both male and female respondents intended to have an average of 2.2 children. There was little difference in the desired number of children between male and female respondents. 

The average number of children that married respondents actually have was 1.5. This is comparable to the average of 1.6 in 2007 and 1.5 in 2004. As with past surveys, the average actual family size stabilised at around 2 children for couples towards the end of their child bearing ages (i.e. above 40 years).

Respondents who indicated they were unlikely to have any more children cited both practical concerns (e.g. financial cost and lack of good child care arrangements) and family considerations (e.g. having enough children and spouse’s decisions) among the top reasons. 

Most respondents viewed having children as taking place within the institution of marriage. 80% of single and 85% of married respondents agreed or strongly agreed that only legally married parents should have children.

The Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Study 2012 is a survey commissioned by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD), to understand the attitudes and motivations behind Singapore residents’ marriage and parenthood trends.

Similar surveys were conducted in 2007 and 2004. A total of 4,646 respondents aged 21 to 45 years old was surveyed for the 2012 study, comprising 2,120 single (never married) and 2,526 married individuals.

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