Singapore is full of individuals living life in this fast-paced world. The social shift of many individuals choosing to stay single rather than become parents is a major demographic shift that could affect the nation in the long run. Because of the high cost of living, outrageous rent prices, and costs associated with children’s upbringing, more Singaporeans are finding it easier to stay single and child-free. 

The High Cost of Living Plus Extra Expenses of Raising Children

Singapore’s cost of living is insane, and it’s considered the world’s most expensive city to live in. Hence, this makes it hard for current and aspiring parents to succeed in raising children without struggling financially. The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) reports that a single Singaporean’s expenses fall between $1,391 to $4,076. 

Wise reports the stunning numbers on how much rent it costs for different apartments throughout Singapore. A one-bedroom apartment in Singapore can cost close to $2,700 in rent per month. A three-bedroom averages $5,454 each month. 

Studies have shown that raising a child to adulthood can cost a family S$300,000 to S$670,000. This depends on lifestyle, diet, wardrobe, and education choices. 

Single People Have More Discretionary Income Than Parents

Single, child-free individuals usually have more discretionary income than parents. Even despite the high cost of living in Singapore, single people will still sometimes have more leftover money after paying monthly expenses, in contrast to parents. Of course, these factors depend on their line of work, annual income, and expenses. 

Some people like to use their discretionary income for casino gaming on platforms like NetBet. The spinning reels on a slot machine and taking the next hit on a Blackjack round are just a couple of the many fun thrills of the experience. Playing games that have a mix of strategy and luck, like roulette, makes casino gameplay more like a challenging brain teaser. 

Dating Fatigue and a Digitally Disconnected Generation

Dating apps are slightly on the rise, with about 53% of users citing they prefer Tinder over other apps. However, only about 24% of surveyed Singaporeans had admitted to ever using a dating app. 

Some Singaporeans are experiencing difficulty in nurturing a dating relationship because of their demanding schedules. The usual negative cultural stigma of being a single individual has faded over time. People are accepting that the single life is easier emotionally and financially as they find greater autonomy in how they define happiness. 

The Flipside: Some Singaporeans Still Want Children

A Singaporean marriage and parenthood survey from 2021 showed that many Singaporeans wanted to have children. Even more surprising, about 99% of married couples within the survey stated that they play equal roles in their children’s upbringing. In this same survey, 95% of participants said they believed both parents should share the list of home tasks. Despite this belief, women are still the main individuals predominantly handling household chores. 

Single individuals in the surveys said that financial issues were the reason they did not have children. About 64% of married parents reported that while they wanted more children, financial strains were preventing them from doing so. 

Conclusion

Choosing whether to live single or child-free is a personal decision depending on the individual’s circumstances and desires. Reimagining support systems, rethinking gender roles, and staying on a journey of work-life balance could change some single people’s minds into becoming parents. However, some Singaporeans are just so used to the single lifestyle that giving it up to become parents may seem out of the question to them.