SINGAPORE: A total of 30,500 Singaporean babies were born as Dec 1, 2015. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean gave this update while speaking to the media at the inaugural National Play Day carnival on Saturday (Dec 19).
Mr Teo said he expects the total number of babies for the whole of 2015 to be comparable to last year's figure. In 2014, a total of 33,193 Singaporeans babies were born.
"We expect births this year to be comparable to last year, which was also among the highest years in the last 10 years, so we hope that by the end of this year, we will also have a good year for babies," said Mr Teo.
Mr Teo met some of the SG50 babies and their families at the carnival held at the Singapore Sports Hub. The one-day carnival kicked off with a new record set in the Singapore Book of Records.
The Largest Mass Stroller Walk featured more than 1,500 parents and their children completing a 1.5km route with nearly 290 strollers. Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng flagged off the walk at the Singapore Sports Hub.
Member of Parliament for Macpherson, Tin Pei Ling, also joined in with her four-month-old baby boy. The event aims to celebrate parenthood in Singapore. Organised by Mediacorp and the National Population and Talent Division, the carnival also saw children and their families engaging in various activities across eight play areas.
- CNA/rw