The dynamics of ageing in Singapore's population

This paper beings by explaining with the aid of the stable population theory that the ageing of a population is chiefly, if not entirely, the result of a decline in mortality. It shows that the decline in fertility is the major determinant of an ageing population. In Singapore the ageing of our population has commenced and will gather momentum in the future: there is little that can be done to arrest this trend caused by the past rapid decline in fertility and the maintenance of fertility below replacement level since 1975. Some of the more significant consequences in the areas of level of living, consumption pattern, savings, labour shortage, and ageing work force are discussed briefly.