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?

From November 2027, all full-time preschool teachers in Singapore will be guaranteed at least two hours of non-teaching time each week, giving them dedicated time to plan lessons, prepare resources, document children’s development and engage with parents.

The move comes as workload remains the top factor affecting preschool educators’ well-being, according to an ECDA survey released in August.

But with some centres already stretched for manpower, how will the new requirement work on the ground? And will two hours a week be enough to ease teachers’ workload and improve the quality of care for children?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Su Fen Cheong, Founder and CEO of Preschool Market and Associate Faculty at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, to find out more. 

From November 2027, all full-time preschool teachers in Singapore will be guaranteed at least two hours of non-teaching time each week, giving them dedicated time to plan lessons, prepare resources, document children&rsquo;s development and engage with parents.
The move comes as workload remains the top factor affecting preschool educators&rsquo; well-being, according to an ECDA survey released in August.
But with some centres already stretched for manpower, how will the new requirement work on the ground? And will two hours a week be enough to ease teachers&rsquo; workload and improve the quality of care for children?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Su Fen Cheong, Founder and CEO of Preschool Market and Associate Faculty at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, to find out more.&nbsp;

The Big Story: Will two hours of non-teaching time ease preschool teachers’ workload?

Have you ever experienced a lift breakdown in your HDB block?

Both lifts at Block 516 Bedok North Avenue 2 broke down on October 4, leaving residents to climb multiple flights of stairs for hours.

One lift had already been out of service for more than a week before the second lift failed, raising concerns about the impact on elderly residents and those with mobility issues.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada discuss the incident and how residents cope when lifts break down.

Have you ever experienced a lift breakdown in your HDB block?
Both lifts at Block 516 Bedok North Avenue 2 broke down on October 4, leaving residents to climb multiple flights of stairs for hours.
One lift had already been out of service for more than a week before the second lift failed, raising concerns about the impact on elderly residents and those with mobility issues.
On What&rsquo;s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada discuss the incident and how residents cope when lifts break down.

What's Trending: Could you survive a day without your HDB lift?

Singapore plans to roll out a new national system in 2027 to block access to websites linked to phishing and malware, as part of its refreshed cybersecurity strategy.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Weihan Goh, Associate Professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology, about how the Protective Domain Name Service will work and whether it can offer meaningful protection against cyber threats.

With malware-infected computer systems detected in Singapore more than doubling from about 117,000 in 2024 to over 284,000 in 2025, they also examine how AI is changing the cyber threat landscape and whether this new approach can help Singapore get ahead of increasingly sophisticated attacks. 

Singapore plans to roll out a new national system in 2027 to block access to websites linked to phishing and malware, as part of its refreshed cybersecurity strategy.
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Weihan Goh, Associate Professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology, about how the Protective Domain Name Service will work and whether it can offer meaningful protection against cyber threats.
With malware-infected computer systems detected in Singapore more than doubling from about 117,000 in 2024 to over 284,000 in 2025, they also examine how AI is changing the cyber threat landscape and whether this new approach can help Singapore get ahead of increasingly sophisticated attacks.&nbsp;

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

The Weekly Wrap-Up

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