A “Super-Aged” Society: Defusing Singapore’s Demographic Time Bomb

Abstract

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted that nearly one in four Singaporeans will be a senior by 2030, making Singapore a “super-aged” society. Singapore is not just ageing, but doing so rapidly, posing various social and economic challenges for Singapore which need to be addressed by the government, in collaboration with various stakeholders. This case study begins by examining the history of family planning policies in Singapore, including the “Stop at Two” campaign. Thereafter, it highlights how increased longevity and lowered fertility rates have caused this “demographic time bomb”. It proceeds to evaluate existing measures that have been introduced in Singapore, focusing on mitigation strategies that work preemptively, including increasing care workers, expanding the workforce and increasing the population. Lastly, it explores alternative solutions implemented in other countries, and initiated in Singapore. These include increasing the accessibility of child care, improving care work, utilising technology, promoting active ageing and combatting ageism.