Singapore's TFR is below 1.
We've tried Baby Bonuses. Tax relief. Parental leave.
All very sensible.
But maybe sensible isn't working. Maybe it's time to throw some slightly unhinged ideas into the mix.
Hear me out:
1. Dim HDB staircase lights after 10pm.
Instant ambience for those impulsive moments.
Using existing infrastructure. Save electricity too. Very cost efficient.
2. Let us use CDC vouchers to book hotels.
We're still supporting local businesses.
Withโฆ potential economic benefits.
3. Gamify sex.
Achievements. Badges. Titles. Quest guides.
โLocal Legendโ: done in every town in Singapore.
โCoast to Coast Completionist.โ
โNature Explorer.โ
Singaporeans will compete over literally anything.
Give us achievements and a leaderboard and suddenly everyone has aim for.
4. Strava, but for mating.
Streaks. Personal bests. Monthly challenges.
Imagine opening the app and seeing:
โDesmond has been more active than you this week.โ
Cannot lose to Desmond.
5. Baby making speedruns.
How quickly can you go from Baby #1 โ Baby #2?
Show proof of pregnancy, and get sponsorships, rebates and extra benefits.
6. Tie COE rebates to children.
1 kid = 10%
2 kids = 30%
3 kids = 50%
You want that Land Rover? You want that Alphard?
The nation would like to discuss a mutually beneficial arrangement.
7. BTO Pregnancy Fast Pass.
Pregnant? Move up the queue.
2 kids? Express lane.
3 kids? HDB delivers the keys, a hamper and a handwritten thank-you note from the nation.
8. Maternity ward loyalty programme.
Same like frequent flyer, but better.
Baby #1: Silver
Baby #2: Gold
Baby #3: Platinum
Baby #4: PPS Club
Priority check in. Lounge access. Complimentary upgrade where available.
9. Annual couples' hotel vouchers for parents.
Once a year, the kids go to a nanny and mum and dad go for a staycation.
Official purpose: โstrengthening marriages.โ Because couples need โbonding time in privacyโ.
10. Master bedrooms come with extra soundproofing.
For better sleep, obviously.
Better rest. More privacy. Higher productivity.
Creating conducive environments that contribute to the national KPI.
11. Subsidize aphrodisiacs.
Why keep telling Singaporeans to make babies when we can justโฆ nudge them in the right direction.
Chocolates, oysters and wine at half priceโฆ The more they eat, the more โreadyโ they become.
Just quietly set the mood and then the other head gets to work.
Which one will convince you?
itโs Singaporeโs national day, so hereโs throwback to my fav project: an illustration system of Singaporeans.
working in gov, off the shelf illustrations never properly represented us. not the diversity, not the lil quirks that make us us.
So we built Build Your Own Singaporean (BYOS), a modular system anyone can use to make visuals that actually look local.
Watching the parliamentary debate about the redevelopment of maju forest, you notice that the PAP govt doesn't really hv an argument besides "we need more housing". Sgeans and opp MPs understand this, they're just questioning whether cutting down maju forest is an inevitability.
VibeHood is live!
It's a walkability map of Singapore. Every HDB flat and condo, scored by how close it is to the things that matter to you or your family's lifestyle: MRT, hawker centres, schools, parks and clinics.