Latest news with #DragonYear
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New citizens strengthen Singapore, drive innovation and growth, says senior minister Lee Hsien Loong
SINGAPORE, March 9 — New citizens bring fresh perspectives, global connections, and economic vitality to Singapore in ways that go beyond statistics, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (March 9). Speaking at the Teck Ghee citizenship ceremony at Nanyang Polytechnic, Lee highlighted how new arrivals help Singapore remain a thriving regional hub by contributing diverse experiences and ideas, helping the city-state to thrive as a regional hub and global node, according to a report published in Channel News Asia today. 'This is how cities like London, New York or Shanghai become great centres of culture and prosperity. They attract enterprising and adventurous people from all over the world to live and work there,' he said. 'The steady infusion of new arrivals sharpens them, sparks cross-fertilisation of ideas and cultures, and creates an environment of constant innovation and enterprise.' Drawing on his visit to Google's Silicon Valley headquarters two years ago, Lee noted that many of the presenters had grandparents from different parts of the world. 'That is America's enormous advantage — it draws top talent from every continent, and therefore it can innovate and stay ahead.' He emphasised that Singapore must adopt a similar approach, remaining open to global ideas and talent to sustain its success. 'This is how we became a shining red dot — because our ancestors came here from many lands, made this their home, and built up this country. And this is what we must continue to do, to shine even brighter in future — not just for our own sakes, but for our children and grandchildren too.' Acknowledging concerns over immigration, Lee said the Singapore government remains mindful of the need to handle integration sensitively. Singapore welcomes around 22,000 new citizens each year, while about 30,000 citizen babies are born annually. Even in the recent Dragon Year, births did not reach that figure, he noted. 'We do need to bring in more people, more talent, more contributions,' he said, adding that Singapore carefully manages immigration to maintain balance and social harmony. New citizens undergo the Singapore Citizenship Journey before obtaining their status, while the Integration and Naturalisation Champions from the People's Association run programmes to help them settle in. 'I hope now that you have become citizens, you will participate wholeheartedly in society and make the effort to integrate,' Lee said, encouraging them to embrace local values and contribute actively to their communities. Singaporeans also have a role to play in fostering inclusion, he said, urging them to welcome new citizens as part of 'our Singapore team.' 'To help new citizens to fit in — to feel at home here, to pick up how our society works, and how we can live harmoniously together,' he said. He also warned against those who exploit nativist and xenophobic sentiments for political gain, saying such actions could harm society. Closing his address, Lee reiterated that Singapore's strength lies in its people — those who arrived in the past, those born here, and those who continue to join the nation. 'As long as we open our hearts and minds, we can together build a nation that remains vibrant, cohesive, and full of opportunity for those who call it home.'
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
YAHOO POLL: Are Singaporean couples too busy to make babies?
Singapore's hitting 60, but its birth rate's stuck at a measly 0.97 in 2024. Yep, even the Dragon Year couldn't save it! Minister in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Indranee Rajah spilled the tea in Parliament: fewer babies, more grey hair, and a workforce that's shrinking faster than your weekend. With epic perks like the Large Families Scheme and SG60 Baby Gifts, the government's tossing lifelines – but are Singaporeans biting? Other polls YAHOO POLL: Is it okay if the guy uses CDC vouchers to pay for the first date? YAHOO POLL: Are you still enjoying the MCU? YAHOO POLL: Do pineapples belong on pizza? The stats don't lie: 30,800 resident births last year barely nudged up from 30,500 in 2023, while the old-age support ratio tanked from 6 to 3.5 in a decade. Translation? Fewer young folks are propping up a booming elderly crowd. Immigration's in play – 24,000 new citizens and 35,000 permanent residents (PR) in 2024 – but it's a tightrope walk. Meanwhile, policies like boosted Baby Bonuses and 30 weeks of parental leave aim to spark a baby boom. Will they work, or are we too busy swiping right to care? Have your say and take the poll. Related: Dragon Year fails to boost Singapore's plummeting birth rate, fertility below 1.0 in 2024
