In a significant move to bolster support for families, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has unveiled a comprehensive expansion of government assistance. The new measures are designed to provide more extensive childcare leave, enhance financial aid, reduce preschool fees, and improve access to public housing. These initiatives aim to support working parents and encourage parenthood amidst declining fertility rates.
Under the proposed plan, parents in Singapore will be eligible for 8 to 12 days of childcare leave annually, determined by the number of children they have under the age of 12. Additionally, each Singaporean child will receive nearly S$70,000 in direct financial aid from birth until they reach 17 years old, significantly easing the financial burden on families.
Preschool fees are set to see a substantial reduction, with full-day childcare costs expected to drop to S$150 per month by the year 2030. Infant care fees will also be lowered, aiming to make early childhood education more accessible and affordable for all families. These financial adjustments are part of the government’s long-term strategy to foster a more family-friendly environment.
In terms of housing, the government is expanding support by raising the income threshold for eligibility to purchase Build-to-Order (BTO) flats to S$16,000 and for executive condominiums to S$18,000. Furthermore, first-time families will benefit from an additional ballot chance for each child they have or are expecting, easing their path to securing a home.
The introduction of these policies is a part of Singapore’s broader efforts to encourage marriage and parenthood, particularly in light of the nation’s record low total fertility rate of 0.87 recorded in 2025. Prime Minister Wong emphasized the importance of providing continuous support to families throughout the child-rearing process, rather than concentrating resources solely around the time of childbirth. This comprehensive support system is envisioned to help reverse the declining birth rates and foster a more robust family structure in Singapore.