Singapore (VNA) – Singapore will provide more support for families through measures including extended childcare leave, increased financial assistance for children, lower preschool fees and improved access to housing, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on August 23.
In his speech at the 2026 National Day Rally, Wong said that under the new childcare leave policy, each working parent will be entitled to eight days of leave per year if they have one child aged 12 or below, 10 days if they have two children, and 12 days if they have three or more children, The Straits Times reported.
Each newborn will receive nearly 70,000 SGD (55,100 USD) in direct support throughout childhood, including annual child credits and additional education-related assistance.
The Singaporean Government also aims to reduce full-day childcare fees to 150 SGD per month and infant-care fees to 300 SGD per month. The reductions will not be income-dependent while additional subsidies will be provided for lower-income families.
As part of broader measures to help Singaporeans start and raise families, the Government will also raise household income ceilings for eligibility to purchase subsidised public housing. Greater priority will be given to first-time parents when they apply for new flats.
The monthly household income ceiling for build-to-order flats will be raised from 14,000 SGD to 16,000 SGD, while the ceiling for executive condominiums will increase from 16,000 SGD to 18,000 SGD.
According to the PM, the measures are designed to support parents throughout their entire journey of raising children, rather than concentrating most assistance around the time of childbirth./.
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