Singapore is working on offering “bonuses” to couples that plan to have a child. Singapore, with already low birth rates normally, has fallen to a record-level decrease in births since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. In most cases there would be an increase in births due to the lack of movement and going out, however, Singapore citizens who seemed to have planned parenthood in advance have put their plans on hold, due to financial and unemployment issues coming from the outbreak. While other countries such as the Philippines have seen spikes in birth rates since the outbreak, Singapore has seen a drop. Singapore has struggled with low birth rates for years, and the coronavirus has taken Singapore over the edge. The government thinks that if there were an incentive, such as money, more couples will plan birth. The bonus amount, although not released yet, is rumored to have around $10,000 U.S dollars in benefits.
In my opinion, the Singapore government is very smart to try and incite families into having children by holding money in front of their faces. I think after this bonus is put into place, we can expect to see the birth rates increase. I also think that Singapore can set a good example for other countries who are dealing with the same problem. Many asian countries are currently having a decrease in birth rates as well, and Singapore can help serve as a guide to solving the issue. If the bonus stays in place even after the Coronavirus has subsided, I think we can expect to see a lasting impact of the improvement of birthrates in Singapore. The incentive of money is persistent in many different environments, therefore I think this solution will continue to show results. In even longer terms, this means that Singapore can be confident in the population rates of the next generations to come.
One could see how birthing rates and regulation could be involved with an Inter-governmental organization. Singapore is a member of the U.N (an IGO) and although not every country is struggling with falling birth rates, the U.N could help the countries that are struggling by setting guidelines to follow. In fact, if certain countries all have the same beliefs about birthing rates there could be an political/cultural IGO solely dedicated to that. Some countries struggle with high rates, others with low, and this theoretical IGO could help countries on both ends of the scale. Allianced countries could work together to prevent overpopulation or underpopulation in a given area. This could also be a hypothetical non-governmental organization, such as Red-Cross, but only for birthing rates and population control.