Singapore needs more people, and you are recruited to contribute. In return, there are benefits galore lying in wait for you. Year after year, there's more and more schemes, marriage and parenthood (M&P) packages, baby bonus (Children Development Co-Savings), tax incentives, paid maternity leave.

Yet, year after year, the total fertility rate (TFR) remains low. Singapore has one of the lowest TFR in the world. "Population in brief 2009" on singstat website reports TFR of 1.28 for Singapore in 2008. In contrast, USA has 2.1 in 2006, Australia 1.93 as of 2007.

Anyway, if you are in the age group for having children; you want children anyway; having freebies should be welcomed. Although sometimes, the devil's in the details, for example, cutoff date based on birth date; and an eagerly awaited announcement becomes insulting.