Singapore asks the $70,000 question: who wants to start a family?

The amount of money for a child until age 17 is Singapore's offer to help couples have children.

Published 1 September 2026 107 words
WORLD A1
Singapore asks the $70,000 question: who wants to start a family?

Singapore wants more babies. The government will give families about S$70,000 for each child they have until the child is 17 years old. This is a lot of money to help people start a family.

This new offer comes because fewer people in Singapore are having children. Some people worry about the cost and the big changes to their lives. They also worry about finding time for a baby.

The government hopes this money will help. They want more families for the future of Singapore. It is not yet clear if this will help people have more children.

Vocabulary

families — A group of people who are related, like parents and children.
children — Young people, boys or girls.
cost — How much money you need to pay for something.
changes — When something becomes different.
future — The time that will come after now.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is the government giving money to families in Singapore?
  2. What are some reasons people in Singapore do not want to have children?
  3. Do you think giving money will help people have more children? Why or why not?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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