For the first time ever, Singapore’s resident total fertility rate has dropped below 1.0. Preliminary estimates show that the total fertility rate fell to 0.97 in 2023, declining further from the previous record of 1.04 in 2022 and 1.12 in 2021.

What are the factors leading to the new low? And should we be worried? 

Dr Mathew Mathews, Head, Social Lab, and Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore shares his views. 

For the first time ever, Singapore’s resident total fertility rate has dropped below 1.0. Preliminary estimates show that the total fertility rate fell to 0.97 in 2023, declining further from the previous record of 1.04 in 2022 and 1.12 in 2021.
What are the factors leading to the new low? And should we be worried? 
Dr Mathew Mathews, Head, Social Lab, and Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore shares his views.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day’s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.

From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what’s happening — with clarity, context and a touch of personality.

Whether you’re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected — all the way home.

And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4&ndash;8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day&rsquo;s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.
From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what&rsquo;s happening &mdash; with clarity, context and a touch of personality.
Whether you&rsquo;re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected &mdash; all the way home.
And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

A recap of the biggest news stories so you do not miss a thing, even while you were busy working.

A recap of the biggest news stories so you do not miss a thing, even while you were busy working.

The Weekly Wrap-Up

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion.

Weekly Wrap Up: Singapore's fertility rate hits record low, should we be worried?

As more Singaporeans approach retirement age, some are finding ways to stay in the workforce without committing to another full-time role.

Fractional work offers one such option, allowing experienced professionals to take on part-time or project-based roles while continuing to contribute their expertise.

At 65, Vipin Jain chose to continue working fractionally after 15 years as a regional sales director at the same multinational.

The move came with a pay cut, but offered him greater flexibility than a conventional full-time role.

On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Vipin Jain, Strategic Business Advisor at Stellent Networks, about his decision to pursue fractional work and whether it offers a viable alternative to traditional retirement.

As more Singaporeans approach retirement age, some are finding ways to stay in the workforce without committing to another full-time role.
Fractional work offers one such option, allowing experienced professionals to take on part-time or project-based roles while continuing to contribute their expertise.
At 65, Vipin Jain chose to continue working fractionally after 15 years as a regional sales director at the same multinational.
The move came with a pay cut, but offered him greater flexibility than a conventional full-time role.
On The Agenda, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Vipin Jain, Strategic Business Advisor at Stellent Networks, about his decision to pursue fractional work and whether it offers a viable alternative to traditional retirement.

The Agenda: Could fractional work be the new retirement plan for seniors?

Singapore’s MRT network has hit a record high in reliability, with trains travelling an average of 3.38 million train-kilometres between failures in the 12 months ending September.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Terence Fan, Assistant Professor of Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University, about what the latest figures reveal about MRT reliability, whether commuters are seeing real improvements in their daily journeys, and how much confidence we should place in these numbers after years of major disruptions.

Singapore&rsquo;s MRT network has hit a record high in reliability, with trains travelling an average of 3.38 million train-kilometres between failures in the 12 months ending September.
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Terence Fan, Assistant Professor of Strategic Management &amp; Entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University, about what the latest figures reveal about MRT reliability, whether commuters are seeing real improvements in their daily journeys, and how much confidence we should place in these numbers after years of major disruptions.

The Big Story: MRT reliability hits record high in September. But are commuters feeling the difference?

Changi Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport for a record 14th time, but one tourist’s complaint about its carpeted floors has sparked a debate online.

While she says the carpets make it difficult to manoeuvre luggage, Singaporeans have been quick to defend the airport’s design, which helps reduce noise and create a calmer environment.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada discuss why the complaint struck a nerve, whether Singaporeans are too protective of things we’re proud of, and what really makes or breaks the airport experience.

Changi Airport has been named the World&rsquo;s Best Airport for a record 14th time, but one tourist&rsquo;s complaint about its carpeted floors has sparked a debate online.
While she says the carpets make it difficult to manoeuvre luggage, Singaporeans have been quick to defend the airport&rsquo;s design, which helps reduce noise and create a calmer environment.
On What&rsquo;s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada discuss why the complaint struck a nerve, whether Singaporeans are too protective of things we&rsquo;re proud of, and what really makes or breaks the airport experience.

Weekly Wrap Up: Singapore's fertility rate hits record low, should we be worried?

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