Effects of social disincentive policies on fertility behavior in Singapore

Five social disincentive policies were implemented by the Singapore government in 1973 to augment its fertility reduction program. The policies involve increasing delivery charges in government hospitals, school admission priority for children, maternity leave, priority in allocation of government housing, and income tax relief. In a two-year prospective study, 1,010 married abortees (study group) and 943 married parturients (comparison group) were questioned to determine their awareness and understanding of these policies, and whether the policies influenced their decision concerning their present pregnancies or would influence future decisions. Except for the tax policy, these disincentives were known to a fairly large proportion of the women studied. Knowledge was positively related to education level. Four of the five disincentives have, to varying degrees, influenced the women's decisions concerning their present pregnancies and may do so in future pregnancies. The two most widely known and most influential disincentives are those affecting school admission priority and accouchement fees.