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Singapore's low fertility rate and its ageing population have significant implications on its economy and society, Ms Indranee said.
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The Dragon year effect has been diminishing over the years, reflecting the generational shifts in attitudes and priorities among young couples said Ms Indranee.
Preliminary data showed there were 30,800 resident births last year, up slightly from 30,500 in 2023.
Singapore's low fertility rate and its ageing population have significant implications on its economy and society, Ms Indranee said.
Addressing the birth rate remains a "national priority", as it will be increasingly challenging to sustain economic growth as local workforce growth slow
The four-year-old girl died after her mother's boyfriend punched her in the stomach on Feb 21, 2020. Despite knowing she was in pain, the couple did not call for help and instead took drugs at home.
Hoping to escape detection after Megan died, they burnt the girl's scarred and emaciated body to ashes in a purpose-built barrel. Her remains were never recovered.
Megan's mother, 29-year-old Foo Li Ping, and her then-boyfriend, 38-year-old Wong Shi Xiang, were convicted in the High Court on Friday (Feb 28).
Wong pleaded guilty to four charges of culpable homicide, impeding investigations by disposing of a corpse, drug trafficking and drug consumption. Another 11 charges, mostly drug-related, were taken into consideration.
The prosecution is seeking 28 to 30 years' jail and 15 to 17 strokes of the cane for Wong, while the defence is asking for 20 to 22 years' jail and 11 strokes of the cane.
"Where senseless violence is inflicted on a young child by her caretaker, a clear signal – showing that this is regarded with deep abhorrence and will not be tolerated – must be set," said Deputy Public Prosecutor Marcus Foo.
