The results of the 2007 survey also showed that eight out of 10 married people wanted to have two or three children.

About 6,000 people took part in the MCYS study to find out Singaporeans' attitudes towards marriage and parenthood.

Singles want to marry

The survey found that more single Singaporeans want to get married - 85 per cent want to say 'I do' compared to 74 per cent in a similar survey in 2004.

The two main reasons given by singles for not marrying are not finding no suitable partner and wishing to concentrate on their career or studies.

The study also found that 89 per cent of singles prefer to set up their own homes after marriage. Almost a third also said that they would postpone their weddings if they cannot have their own home.

Two or more kids wanted

For the married respondents, the MCYS study found that having children is one of the main reason for getting married.

Eight out of ten married people said they wanted two or three children, compared to six out of 10 people in the 2004 study.

When asked what factors influence their decision on the number of children to have, most said financial security and mutual agreement with their spouses.

Most of the women surveyed, both single and married, said they preferred to be a working mother.

But there was a five per cent increase in married women, who said they wanted to leave the workforce when they have children or to when their children are still young. The ministry said this is due to a wish to take care of their children themselves.

On the issue of child care, parents also said that trust and affordability are the main factors which help them decide who they pick as a caregiver.

Most of the respondents - 83 per cent - said that the Government's move to improve pro-family packages in 2004 has created a more family-friendly environment to have children.

They said the Baby Bonus and the extended Paid Maternity Leave schemes were the two policies which would most persuade them to have children and to have them earlier.