SINGAPORE: Tackling Singapore's low fertility rate will be a priority for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, said its Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing.
Speaking on Monday during a visit to the newly-renovated Registry of Marriages (ROM) and Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM), Major-General (NS) Chan said the challenge was to get more young people to marry.
Singapore's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) reached an all-time low of 1.16 last year.
"In
the short term, we can look at various things like having better
facilities, having work arrangements to help people get started on
marriage," MG Chan said.
He added in the longer term, he hoped people would not see having a family as a burden.
MG Chan visited the new building -- renovated at a cost of some S$4.2 million -- at Canning Rise.
The new building boasts new features such as a counter which provides marriage-related information and two solemnisation rooms.
The two registries also share a common customer service front, presenting visitors with a warm and welcoming environment.
Operations will resume at the new building on June 14.
MCYS said more than 20 couples will be filing for solemnisation on that date.
In
addition, it said to facilitate the shift back to Canning Rise, ROM and
ROMM will be closed from Saturday June 11 to Monday June 13.
During this period, members of the public can continue to call the ROM and ROMM main lines for assistance and enquiries.
The ministry said all online services would continue to be available.
The
ROM and ROMM have been operating temporarily at the Ministry of
National Development (MND) Building since January 26 last year.
-CNA/wk
Population growing, more Recruits needed to protect them.