Across Asia, birth rates are in crisis — with populations not replacing themselves, pressuring economies, military strengths, and the elderly.
Al Jazeera reports on the birth rate crisis in Asia, including Singapore.
Part One:
Part Two:
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A more apt precursor to the video would be “Al Jazeera reports on the birth rate crisis in Singapore, in the context of East Asia”. For those in a rush, watch the second part only. The first is mostly a description of the low birth rate – which we should all be aware of already. The second part is where the more animated discussion and difficult questions are asked.
Of the 3 panelists, the NUS Prof is so typical ‘civil servant’ and trying to reiterate the governement’s stand rather than offer her throughts as an expert. But I did enjoy how the host and the 2 other panelists (journalist and full-time mother who was previously heading AWARE) put this prof in her place with poignant arguments.
Certainly a good programme – not the first of such by Al Jazeera. Perhaps we should start following their reports instead of CNA, ST et al. Their research seems much more pertinent and useful than what we get from the local media.
Thanks TOC!
I wonder if Singapore’s birth rate would be as low as Hong Kong’s (the lowest in the world apparently) if the Malay and Indian communities’ contribution was removed from the figure.
Food for Thought…
I agree absolutely with Ganga on NUS Prof’ being so typical civil servant. That’s my first impression of her and how disappointed I was to suddenly realise such a representation of the civil service does not bode well for any change we want to undertake or evolve. She belongs to the Old World, I talk you listen generation. Reminds me of my teachers way back then. For crying out loud, we have a serious situation here and this session is offering views and opinions on how to tackle it…not a display of your intellectual capacity. We should think of giving more voice to people like the other lady panelist and keep the loud and elitist from drowning the real issues we’re facing.
As long as there is intense competition in society, one will be too threatened by society to know what’s life is all about. This is a sympton of a highly-strung society which values materialism over family…though many would not openly or officially admit it. Too bad we don’t have more sheeps than humans like the kiwis.
I think most singaporeans are getting the picture why marry and have kids and put your kids to enslavement and a lifetime of tolling unless u are born rich
The government is treating every silliporean as a mere digit to content with the
foreign talent.
So far it has been cheap talk from them with no help for the down and out
so why would they help unless they know that their policies are in jeopardy
because if Singapore do no precreate it means a downfall of the kingdom
It is LKY genocidal policies and bullying attitude that is the cause of a falling kingdom. Need no suicide bomber to pull it down.