Singapore resident total fertility rate falls to historic low of 0.87 in 2025
Singapore’s total fertility rate has dropped to 0.87 in 2025, marking the lowest level in the nation’s history. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong described the trend as a matter of grave concern during a budget debate, citing a significant decline in both resident births and marriages.
- The resident total fertility rate reached an unprecedented low of 0.87 in 2025, falling below the previous year's figure of 0.97.
- Resident births saw an 11 per cent year-on-year decline, with only 27,500 recorded instances in 2025.
- Marriage rates have hit their lowest level since 2020, with 24,687 unions recorded as the population continues to age rapidly.
Singapore’s resident total fertility rate (TFR) has plummeted to a new historic low of 0.87 in 2025. This figure represents a sharp decline from the 0.97 recorded in 2024. The data has sparked significant concern regarding the long-term impact on the national economy.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Gan Kim Yong addressed the situation on 26 February 2026. Speaking during a budget debate for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), DPM Gan stated that birth rates are currently falling at an unprecedented pace across the city-state.
Preliminary figures released by the government indicate there were approximately 27,500 resident births in 2025. This is the lowest number of births in the recorded history of the country. The total marks an 11 per cent decrease from the 30,808 births in 2024.
A resident birth is defined as a child born to at least one parent who holds Singaporean citizenship or permanent residency. DPM Gan characterised the overall trend as a matter of grave concern for the future of the nation’s demographic structure.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that marriage rates have decreased alongside the falling birth rates. He further observed that couples who do choose to marry are opting to have fewer children or are remaining childless. This shift is significantly impacting the TFR.
Statistics show that the number of couples who wed in 2025 reached the lowest level since 2020. That previous low point was largely attributed to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2025, there were 24,687 recorded marriages.
This figure represents a 6.2 per cent decline from the 26,328 unions registered in 2024. The TFR measures the average number of children a woman would have during her reproductive years. The current slide follows a brief period of stability in 2024.
Historically, the Year of the Dragon in the lunar calendar often results in a temporary increase in births. However, the 2024 Dragon Year failed to provide the expected lift to the TFR. In 2023, the rate had already fallen below 1.0.
The downward trajectory has been rapid over the last decade. In 2015, the TFR stood at 1.24. DPM Gan noted that while many developed and developing countries face similar issues, the local situation is particularly acute due to the nation's geography.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the small size of the country makes it exceptionally sensitive to demographic changes. He stated that the government must proactively manage these shifts to ensure the nation continues to thrive despite an ageing population.
DPM Gan concluded that the challenges of a shrinking workforce and a rapidly ageing society are being felt globally. However, the speed of the decline in Singapore necessitates urgent attention to maintain social and economic stability in the coming years.
