Fertility rate

Japanese population below 120 million for first time in decades

Tokyo remained the lowest among Japan’s prefectures, with a fertility rate of 0.96. The final version of the data is due in September.

Enhanced childcare leave among PAP Women’s Wing’s proposals after public engagements

Families discussing their concerns with facilitators at the PAP's Women's Wing Listening Session: Making it Work event on July 26.

Endless advice? When parenting becomes an optimisation exercise

As Singapore’s total fertility rate fell to a record low of 0.87 in 2025, it intensified a national conversation about parenthood.

Ticking time bomb? Europe’s ageing population brings challenges

An ageing population poses challenges for society and the EU economy, and while migration could help, it is not the fix Europe might hope for.

Bhutan battles ‘existential’ population crisis with birth drive

Annual births have dropped by more than a quarter over the past decade, compounding the country’s loss of youngsters to migration.

‘Every life is precious’: How miscarriage shaped one mum’s journey to having baby No. 6

(From left) Teacher Clement Chua and freelance writer Kelly Ang, who is expecting yheir sixth child, with their children Tobias, Isabella, Lily Beth, Gabriel and Christabel.

Going big: Why some Singaporeans choose to have 5 or more kids

Gerald Ng (third from left) and Debbie Leung (centre) together with their children, (from left) Kate, Jane, Luke, Rose, and Sophie.

Asian Insider

How much it costs to raise a child in Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea

Barbie Ho’s six-year-old son plays at a playground near their home in Mui Wo, Hong Kong.

Price of parenthood: Going rural in Hong Kong for a cheaper, better childhood

Barbie Ho with her husband, Tim Parker, and their son on the tricycle which they use to get around the quaint rural town of Mui Wo, where they now live.

Price of parenthood: South Koreans spend big on enrichment to get kids ahead

Sarah Kim and her husband send their 10-year-old daughter to private education academies after school so she can experience activities from inline skating to sandplay therapy.

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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.