Singapore’s low fertility rate in tandem with its silver tsunami are two socioeconomic factors that are compelling the republic’s government to maintain an open door policy on immigration to slow down their effects, in spite of qualms from some Singaporeans.
According to a report by the Institute of Policy Studies, while immigration is inevitable, it is not a silver bullet for the nation’s economic and societal challenges. Ultimately, productivity remains a key strategic thrust to bolstering the economy and the government needs to address the issue of declining birth rates.