The father of four, Lee Hsien Loong appeals to couples. Singapore’s fertility rate rose to 1.2 last year, up from 1.15 in 2010, its lowest ever. Economic incentives are not enough without the right social context.

Singapore (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was "fervently" hoping for a baby boom in the Year of the Dragon in the city-state. Although the total fertility rate of the city state rebounded slightly to 1.2 in 2011 from the record low of 1.15 in 2010, for Lee this was not a sign of the reversal of the long-term downward trend. Hence, the government must provide families with a “supportive social climate” for those who want children.

"Singapore's total fertility rate has been steadily dropping from 1.6 in 2000 to 1.2 in 2011, despite many government measures to encourage couples to have more children," Lee said in his Lunar New Year message.

In particular, the fertility rate among Sino-Singaporeans, who account for about 75 per cent of the population, dropped from 1.43 to 1.08 over the same period.

For the prime minister, who is a father of four, Singaporeans should make larger families one of the priorities. "Having children is ultimately a personal decision for families to make, but the government will do its part to reduce the anxieties and burdens of parenthood," he said.

"The critical factor now is not more financial incentives, but creating the supportive social climate and attitudes that will encourage couples to have more children," he said.

The Year of the Dragon might help government plans because it is seen as most auspicious to have a baby since ‘Dragon’ children are believed to be smarter, more successful or lucky. They are also thought to possess courage and wisdom and bring luck to the entire family.

According to official data, Singapore has 3.79 million residents in 2011, with 9.3 percent of them being over the age of 65.

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