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Families in Singapore (Statistics by Department of Statistics Singapore)…
Families in Singapore (Statistics by Department of Statistics Singapore)
Family size
Past: Big families, of parents and children. Many children are common.
Present: Big or small families with up to three generations staying under one roof. Usually has several children.
Household family structure
Past: Parents and children. Two generations. Married couples tend to stay separate from their parents.
Present: Numerous configurations. Some have as many as three generations or more. The least is two generations. Some families have grandparents and grandchildren. Others may consist of adopted children. Some families consist of just two people, some single. Married couples can choose to move out or stay with their families.
Birth rate
Past: Some couples married young and had many children during the fertility window. The birth rate was high, especially the Baby Boomer generation.
Present: Birth rates are low due to the high standards-of-living and people marrying at a later part of their lives. It is harder to settle down and have children. Raising children is very costly. Most married couples tend to have a few children. Many younger couples settle down later after finishing higher education and having a stable job, which may lead to the small fertility window for fertile women.
Marriage and divorce rate
Past: Marriages were usually arranged since young. Divorce rate was lower than present.
Present: Marriage rates have gone down (44.4% to 44.2% for males in 2016, 41.6% to 41.1% for females in 2016) while divorce rates have gone up and maintained (Males: 7.1%. Females: 6.6%)
Mostly due to young people pursuing higher education and are more focused on their education and jobs than settling down.
It is costly to settle down and have a family.
Transnational and Inter-ethnic marriages
Past: Marriages are commonly arranged between families of two children from young. Usually of the same race or culture. People did not get much choice to choose their future spouse.
Present: Marriages are mixed racially and culturally. Arranged marraiges are not so common. People have a choice of who they want to marry.
Family Income
Past: Not many were rich. It is common to take up several jobs to survive. Children also worked while they studied.
Present: Families are more well-off. It is common for both parents to be working.
Family Members educational level
Past: Education was not affordable by the poorer families. The education level of the parents were usually Low. Most Baby Boomers managed to receive education at at least Primary level.
Present: Most of the family members are well-educated, with many pursuing further education overseas. Young people tend to have a Tertiary education.
Statistics (since 2017):
Literacy rate (15 years old and above): 97.2% overall from 97%
Post-Secondary Qualifications: 54.2% from 52.8%
Annual University Graduate Output: 15,895 graduates from 15,510 (+0.9%)
Annual Polytechnic Graduate Output: 26,266 graduates from 26,010
(+0.2%)
Time spend with families (e.g. recreation)
Past: When the children are not in school, they tend to help out around the house and go out to work. Otherwise, they play with their friends. Time spent with family is usually during occasions such a the New Year or during meal times or arranged family time.
Present: Family time is commonly during the weekends where the parents do not need to go to work and the chidlren are not schooling, Public holidays are also another way for families to spend time with one another. Families spend more time together in the present than the past. They also spend time together on festival and occasssions.