SINGAPORE - There were about 30,500 Singaporean babies born as of Dec 1 this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Saturday (Dec 19).
Speaking on the sidelines of a community event, DPM Teo said: "We expect that the number of births this year will be comparable to last year, which was also among the highest in the last 10 years.
"We hope that by the end of this year, we will have a good year for babies," added DPM Teo, who is also Minister-in-charge of the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD).
There were 33,193 citizen births last year, up from 31,017 in 2013 but slightly fewer than the 33,238 citizen births in 2012.
While it is too early to say if the number of babies in the SG50 year would exceed that of last year, latest statistics from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority show that 418 more citizen births were registered in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Mr Teo was at the inaugural National Play Day carnival, organised by the NPTD and Mediacorp to celebrate parenthood and families in Singapore.
At the event, about 1,500 participants with 287 baby strollers set a new Singapore record for the largest mass stroller walk, after completing a 1.5km route around the Singapore Sports Hub.
Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng flagged off the walk, which Member of Parliament Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson) also took part in.
Ms Tin, who gave birth to a baby boy on Aug 5 this year, said: "I am particularly glad to see so many hands-on dads at the stroller walk today. With parents working as a team to raise our children and with support from the community, we look forward to an even more family-friendly Singapore in the years to come."
DPM Teo said he is heartened to see strong community support for parenthood.
He added: "The Government will continue to work with the private sector and the community to make Singapore an even better place for Singaporeans to start families and raise children."
Commenting on the confirmation that next year's National Day Parade (NDP) will be held at the domed-roof National Stadium, DPM Teo said: "Because of the stadium, it gives us an opportunity to do a three-dimensional show, which is very different from what you can do at The Float (at Marina Bay) or the Padang.
"We look forward to a good show."
