IN FOCUS: Why Singapore's workplace culture remains a stubborn barrier to its fertility push
Despite Singapore’s pro-family policies, employees argue that Singapore’s entrenched “hustle culture” makes it difficult to feel confident about starting a family while building their careers.
Singapore's workplace culture is seen as a significant obstacle to its efforts to increase fertility rates, despite the country's pro-family policies. Employees express frustration over the "hustle culture" prevalent in Singapore, which makes them hesitant to start a family while advancing their careers. Ms M Low, who lost her newborn son in intensive care, faced constant work demands even while on maternity leave.
This left her feeling unsupported, and she ultimately resigned. Another mother, who declined to be named, cites her workplace's inflexibility as a reason for her hesitation to have another child. She has observed that a supportive manager makes a significant difference, while a dismissive one can hinder a family's plans. Dr Tan Poh Lin, a senior research fellow, highlights that work-life balance and office culture are critical factors affecting Singapore's total fertility rate, which fell to a record low of 0.87 in 2023.
Associate Professor Mu Zheng explains that workplace pressures can impact fertility at various stages of life, as people may feel it's increasingly challenging to balance being a good parent with being a good employee.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
