Singapore launches matchmaking service for government workers

Singapore has introduced a matchmaking service for government workers, aiming to address the country's record-low fertility rate. The app, named FirstDate, has launched for individuals aged 21 to 35 and uses a Nobel-winning algorithm to match participants for one date at a time. Registrants sign in through Singapore's national digital identity system and complete a survey about their interests, habits, and values.

The website highlights the Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage algorithm, which pairs two equally sized groups of people based on their preferences. Elizabeth, a 29-year-old government worker and FirstDate participant, believes the experience of meeting someone through the app is similar across different platforms. Critics argue the initiative discriminates against non-government workers and questions the age limit.

The pilot program is currently available to government employees and remains unclear if it will be extended to the general public. Singapore's birth rate has plummeted to historic lows, with fewer than 30,000 babies born in 2025, while deaths have been steadily increasing. The government has responded with financial support for families and new measures to encourage couples to have children.