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Singapore Births Rise in 40s: Fertility Trends Shift Dramatically
29 Apr
Summary
- Fertility rates for women aged 40-44 in Singapore have increased significantly.
- Younger women's fertility rates have seen a sharp decline since 2005.
- IVF age limits were lifted in 2020, impacting older women's fertility choices.
In Singapore, a notable shift in fertility patterns is emerging, with women in their 40s increasingly choosing to have children, bucking the overall declining birth trend. The number of babies born per 1,000 women aged 40-44 has risen from 6.2 in 2005 to 9.6 in 2025, with a similar increase observed for women aged 45-49.
This contrasts sharply with younger demographics. Fertility rates for women aged 25-29 fell from 80.7 in 2005 to 38.3 in 2025, and for those aged 30-34, it dropped from 89.2 to 70 during the same period. Experts attribute these trends to women delaying marriage and motherhood to pursue education and careers.
The lifting of the age limit for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 2020 has also played a role. This change means there is no longer an upper age restriction for women undergoing IVF treatment, contributing to the rise in births among older mothers. However, medical professionals caution that IVF success rates decline with age for both women and men.
