Third straight annual drop raises concerns over nation’s falling fertility rate
Singapore recorded its lowest number of marriages since the pandemic year of 2020, deepening concerns about long-term demographic and fertility challenges.
Marriages Fall to Post-Pandemic Low
Singapore registered 24,687 marriages in 2025, a 6.2 percent drop from 26,328 unions in 2024, according to data from the Department of Statistics. The preliminary figure marks the lowest level since 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions disrupted wedding plans and only 22,651 couples wed.
Academics noted that the 2025 figure represents the third consecutive year of decline since the post-pandemic surge in 2022, when 29,389 marriages were recorded. That spike had reflected pent-up demand from couples who postponed ceremonies during lockdown years.
Fertility Outlook Remains Weak
The continued slide in marriages is expected to weigh on Singapore’s already ultra-low total fertility rate. In 2024, the TFR stood at 0.97, and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said in January that he was “not likely to give good news on the TFR front” for 2025.
Speaking at an Institute of Policy Studies conference, Mr Gan explained that previous dragon years typically saw a temporary baby increase. However, the 2024 dragon year failed to produce a meaningful rebound, with the rate holding at 0.97 and projected to decline further.
Fewer Young Adults of Marriageable Age
Professor Jean Yeung from the National University of Singapore said part of the 2025 decline can be attributed to a shrinking pool of people aged in their 20s and early 30s. Demographic shifts mean fewer individuals are entering what is traditionally considered prime marriage years.
Economic uncertainty, higher living costs, and geopolitical tensions may also be dampening marriage intentions. Financial caution has become more pronounced among younger Singaporeans navigating housing affordability and career pressures.
Marriage Happening Later in Life
Experts also pointed to longer-term social changes. Dr Mathew Mathews of IPS observed that more Singaporeans are marrying later, spending additional time building careers or strengthening relationships before committing.
The median age at first marriage reflects this shift. For men, it rose from 29.4 years in 2004 to 31.1 years in 2024. For women, it increased from 26.7 years to 29.6 years over the same period, nearly a three-year jump.
Changing Attitudes Toward Family
Dr Tan Poh Lin of IPS noted a growing minority who view marriage as unnecessary or incompatible with their life goals. Even among those who intend to marry, dating and marriage may take lower priority compared to professional or personal ambitions.
In Singapore’s social context, where births outside marriage remain uncommon, marriage rates strongly influence birth numbers. As Professor Yeung emphasized, fewer marriages typically translate into fewer births, reinforcing demographic challenges ahead.
Singapore’s declining marriage numbers signal more than postponed wedding plans. They reflect structural demographic shifts, evolving social attitudes, and economic realities that directly affect fertility trends. As Singapore and neighboring countries such as Indonesia monitor aging populations and workforce sustainability, policies supporting family formation will remain central to long-term regional stability.
Sources: Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Marriages 2025, Total Fertility Rate Singapore, Median Age First Marriage, IPS Researchers, Population Trends Singapore
