Lee acknowledged the pivotal role that work permit holders have played in building Singapore’s infrastructure, and the contribution of permanent residents, without which he said the country’s population would be older, smaller and would lose vitality.
Further, he noted that in the long term, Singapore’s “educated men and women must decide whether to replace themselves in the next generation”. Currently, 31 per cent of women and 41 per cent of men are choosing not to do so, he noted.
“But we’ve got to persuade people to understand that getting married is important, having children is important,” he said. “Do we want to replace ourselves or do we want to shrink and get older and be replaced by migrants and work permit holders? That’s the simple question.” Full story
Also read: Immigration : Using low fertility rate as a justification - singaporemind.blogspot.sg
Related:
S'pore to lose majority to migrants if declining birth rates continue - The Malay Mail
Singapore's former minister mentor concerns about low birth rate - Xinhua
LKY warns S'poreans could become minority in own country - New Straits Times
Singapore On Verge Of Losing Majority To Migrants If Declining Birth Rates Continue - Bernama.com
Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew urges marriage, making babies - bikyamasr.com
