A component analysis of recent fertility decline in singapore

To aid in achieving demographic goals, since 1968 the government of Singapore has passed a series of laws designed to limit family size. Policies were instituted in 1968 to discourage couples from having more than three children; policies introduced in 1973 discouraged having more than two. Trends in fertility rates and in the numbers of abortions and sterilizations in recent years are consistent with the intent of these social policies. Decline in third and subsequent births was the most important factor in fertility decline after 1972, and the numbers of abortions and sterilizations undergone by higher parity women have increased substantially sin"e 1970. Although other factors have affected fertility in Singapore, the data suggest that the disincentives have played a role in continued fertility decline in recent years.