Singapore is offering a child support grant of S$3,000 ($2,250 USD) to couples who give birth between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2022, to combat low birth rates and pandemic-related reluctance to have children. The grant is in addition to the ongoing “Kids Bonus” cash gift of up to S$10,000 ($7,330 USD). Singapore hopes more businesses and community groups will support families. Singapore has the world’s first nocturnal zoo, four official languages, and limits building height to 919 feet (280m).
It’s hard to believe that there is anything more wonderful than a newborn, but Singapore may have invented it. With the coronavirus devastating families in various ways, including the reluctance to bring a new child into the world, the Asian city-state at least wants to help with the financial aspect: couples who give birth between October 1, 2020, and 30 September 2022, they will be eligible for a child support grant of S$3,000 ($2,250 USD). The money is in addition to the ongoing “Kids Bonus” cash gift which can be worth up to S$10,000 ($7,330 USD).
The grant money is Singapore’s way of dealing with reports that many couples have been planning to delay any big life and financial decisions, like having a baby, during the pandemic. Singapore also has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, with 1.14 births per woman in 2018.
“The government will spare no effort to help couples fulfill their marriage and parenting aspirations,” said Indranee Rajah, a spokesman for the prime minister’s office. “We also hope that more businesses and community groups will do their part to support couples juggling work and family, provide affordable goods and services for young families, and ultimately create a Singapore made for families.”
Life in Singapore:
Singapore is home to the world’s first nocturnal zoo, where guests can go on “safari” to see how more than 1,000 animals behave and interact at night.
Singapore has four official languages: Tamil, Chinese, Malay and English, but most people speak “Singlish”, a mixture of English and Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, Mandarin and Tamil phrases created by Singapore’s multicultural society.
To keep the skyline looking good, Singapore limits the height of any building to 919 feet (280m).
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