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Birth rate

China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security system

A man carries a child outside a children's hospital in Beijing, China November 24, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo
A man carries a child outside a children's hospital in Beijing, China November 24, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo

S’pore needs to reset views on marriage, parenthood; new work group to study issues: Indranee

Singapore’s preliminary resident total fertility rate dropped from 0.97 in 2024 to 0.87 in 2025, a historic low for the country.
Singapore’s preliminary resident total fertility rate dropped from 0.97 in 2024 to 0.87 in 2025, a historic low for the country.

S’pore’s fertility rate sinks to new low of 0.87, citizen population could shrink by early 2040s

Preliminary figures show only about 27,500 resident births in 2025, the lowest number in Singapore’s recorded history.
Preliminary figures show only about 27,500 resident births in 2025, the lowest number in Singapore’s recorded history.

Japan’s births fall for 10th year, adding to demographic strain

A child plays with snow at a park in Tokyo.
A child plays with snow at a park in Tokyo.

Spain births increase for first time in over a decade

A woman and a baby walk in Madrid, Spain.
A woman and a baby walk in Madrid, Spain.

Will an endowment of $300,000 per child move the needle?

Modest transfers do little to offset a lifetime's "motherhood penalty". What can Singapore do to encourage family formation?
Modest transfers do little to offset a lifetime's "motherhood penalty". What can Singapore do to encourage family formation?

Explainer: Swiss to vote on proposal to cap the population

FILE PHOTO: People walk near lake Leamn and the jet d'eau water fountain in Geneva, Switzerland, November 12, 2019. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People walk near lake Leamn and the jet d'eau water fountain in Geneva, Switzerland, November 12, 2019. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

Deaths outpace dwindling births in France, driving lawmakers to press for change

South Korea’s army eyes 24-hour childcare services for military families

South Korean Army Major Seo Hye-jung (left) and Captain Kim Jin-su posing for a photo with their quintuplets.
South Korean Army Major Seo Hye-jung (left) and Captain Kim Jin-su posing for a photo with their quintuplets.

Half of 20 major Japanese cities face shrinking population

An estimate for 2050 shows that the number of those cities that will see a population decline will expand to 18, despite their earlier success in having attracted young people from nearby areas.
An estimate for 2050 shows that the number of those cities that will see a population decline will expand to 18, despite their earlier success in having attracted young people from nearby areas.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.