How Is Singapore Supporting Parents, Children and Family-Friendly Workplaces?

In Episode 3 of gov.sg's Let's Table It, Minister Indranee Rajah, Chair of the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, and William Chin, Founder and CEO of Mummys Market, discuss the challenges of raising children, balancing work and family responsibilities, and building a more supportive society.

What is the SG Child Support Package and how does it support families?

The SG Child Support Package provides financial support for Singaporean children from birth through age 17, helping families manage expenses at different stages of their children's lives.

Minister Indranee explained that the package restructures existing support into a system that accompanies children throughout their growing-up years.

Under the package:

• At birth: Each Singaporean child receives $10,000, paid in two tranches during the first year.

• Ages 1 to 16: Each Singaporean child receives $2,000 annually.

• At age 17: A $10,000 top-up is made to the child's Post-Secondary Education Account to support further education.

The annual payments are intended to take effect from 2026, with payouts beginning in 2027 as the necessary systems are being put in place.

William observed that the measures represent a shift from providing incentives to have children towards supporting families throughout their parenting journey.

Does the SG Child Support Package include single-parent families?

Yes. The SG Child Support Package (opens in new tab) applies to all Singaporean children, regardless of their parents' marital status.

Minister Indranee explained that the Workgroup had engaged single-parent families and recognised that every child needs support to grow up well.

How can workplaces better support working parents and caregivers?

Workplaces need more than parental leave policies. Employers must also build systems and cultures that allow employees to manage caregiving responsibilities without feeling guilty.

Minister Indranee highlighted that the Government would cover the cost of parent-related leave, helping employers manage the financial impact.

However, William explained that smaller businesses may still face difficulties when employees take leave, particularly when there are limited staff to cover their responsibilities.

At Mummys Market, the company prepares for maternity leave by reviewing workloads, using technology and distributing responsibilities across teams.

William also shared an experience involving a senior director who apologised for needing time off to care for her sick child. His response was to question why she felt the need to apologise and explore how the team could better manage her absence.

Minister Indranee emphasised that workplaces should have clear objectives, flexible work arrangements and contingency plans for employees who need time off, sometimes at short notice. This applies not only to parents but also to employees caring for ageing parents or other family members.

What other parenthood challenges is the workgroup looking into?

The Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup is examining challenges beyond financial support, including fertility, maternal health and workplace practices.

Minister Indranee identified several areas under consideration:

• Fertility: Addressing feedback from couples facing difficulties conceiving, including concerns about the cost of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments.

• Fertility awareness: Helping Singaporeans better understand the relationship between age and fertility.

• Maternal health: Looking at support across the parenthood journey, including after childbirth.

• Workplace norms: Exploring how employers and employees can better balance work and caregiving.

How is Singapore addressing different views on marriage and parenthood?

The Workgroup recognises that marriage and parenthood are personal decisions, while exploring ways to create more opportunities for people to connect.

Minister Indranee shared that conversations with singles revealed different perspectives.

Some questioned what marriage would add to their lives, while others wanted to meet a potential partner but found it harder to form new connections after leaving school and entering the workforce.

She emphasised that marriage remains an individual's choice. At the same time, the Workgroup is considering how to create more opportunities for people who want to meet and  connect with others.

The discussion also highlighted companionship as an important aspect of marriage, alongside the adjustments couples experience when they become parents.

What would success look like for Singapore's marriage and parenthood efforts?

Success would mean Singaporeans feeling more supported in their family decisions, workplaces becoming more family-friendly, and communities looking out for one another.

Minister Indranee outlined several ways in which progress could be assessed, including whether:

• Singaporeans feel more confident and supported in getting married and having children.

• Employees can take parental and childcare leave without guilt.

• Employers are prepared for employees' caregiving responsibilities.

• Neighbours and communities are willing to support families.

• Singapore's total fertility rate improves.

She stressed that there is no fixed timeline for achieving these outcomes because marriage and parenthood involve personal life decisions that take time.

The discussion concluded with the importance of a "We First" mindset — where everyone, whether married, single or raising children, looks out for one another.

This article is based on Episode 3 of Let's Table It, titled Let's Talk Parenting, Work and Support. Figures, measures and proposals reflect the information shared in the podcast.