From "Stop at two!" to "Have three if you can afford it!" : Singapore's population policy

The paper traces the causes and trends of the first phases of Singapore's anti-natal population policies during 1966-80. A report on the population structure 1980-88 is presented to depict post-1980 population trends and the implications of the falling birth rate for the future. These population trends, especially the prospect of a declining population if those trends were to continue in the long run, eventually triggered a complete rethinking of the former population policies. The central elements of this approach and the likelihood of success of the new population policy of 1987 are discussed. (DÜI-Sen)