Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his Chinese New Year message, on Friday, urged couples in the nation to "add a little dragon" to their families in the Year of the Dragon.

Taking to X, Loong said that he hoped more couples in the country would be encouraged to have children.

"Tonight, we will be gathering with our loved ones to usher in the #YearoftheDragon. I hope more couples will be encouraged this year to add a "little dragon" to your family," wrote the Singaporean Prime Minister.

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Tonight, we will be gathering with our loved ones to usher in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YearoftheDragon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YearoftheDragon</a>. I hope more couples will be encouraged this year to add a “little dragon” to your family. 🐉🧧👶🏻 Read my <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChineseNewYear?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChineseNewYear</a> message here: <a href="https://t.co/U4A9UJdaAw">https://t.co/U4A9UJdaAw</a> – LHL <a href="https://t.co/oFLvFc0wHV">https://t.co/oFLvFc0wHV</a> <a href="https://t.co/RfZiObTRd8">pic.twitter.com/RfZiObTRd8</a>
— leehsienloong (@leehsienloong) <a href="https://twitter.com/leehsienloong/status/1755762181948240191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Celebrating Families</h2>

In his New Year Message 2024, Loong said: "As we celebrate Chinese New Year, let us also celebrate our families. Families are at the heart of our society."

"One important element of family life is having and bringing up children. It is a great joy for parents to bring kids into this world, and to watch them learn and grow, reaching one milestone after another and growing up year by year. Grandparents, like me, share this joy too. We dote and fuss over our grandchildren, helping the parents to bring them up and contributing our part in this journey filled with happiness, purpose, and love," he added.

He said that Chinese families consider a child born in the year of the dragon to be "extremely auspicious," and remarked, "So now is as good a time as any for young couples to add a 'little dragon' to your family."

The PM said that he hopes his "encouragement prompts more couples to try for a baby, although I know that the decision is a very personal one."

<h2>Declining fertility rates</h2>

Across the globe, fertility rates have been declining. As per Loong, this is especially true for developed societies like Singapore.&nbsp;

"Each generation has different aspirations. Many young people prioritise developing their careers, spending quality time with their partners, and pursuing other interests. Even couples who want kids may put off starting families, not realising how quickly it gets harder with each passing year," he said.

"All this is quite understandable. But I still hope that more Singaporean couples will decide to have more children, and to have them earlier!" Loong added.

In 2022, Singapore's&nbsp;fertility rate hit an all-time low of 1.05. This was a fall from the previous records of 1.1 in 2020 and 1.12 in 2021.

Assuring couples of continued government support, he said, "We will build a 'Singapore Made For Families', and continue supporting your marriage and parenthood aspirations."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his Chinese New Year message, on Friday, urged couples in the nation to "add a little dragon" to their families in the Year of the Dragon.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his Chinese New Year message, on Friday, urged couples in the nation to "add a little dragon" to their families in the Year of the Dragon. Taking to X, Loong said that he hoped more couples in the country would be encouraged to have children. "Tonight, we will be gathering with our loved ones to usher in the #YearoftheDragon. I hope more couples will be encouraged this year to add a "little dragon" to your family," wrote the Singaporean Prime Minister. Tonight, we will be gathering with our loved ones to usher in the #YearoftheDragon. I hope more couples will be encouraged this year to add a “little dragon” to your family. 🐉🧧👶🏻 Read my #ChineseNewYear message here: https://t.co/U4A9UJdaAw – LHL https://t.co/oFLvFc0wHV pic.twitter.com/RfZiObTRd8 — leehsienloong (@leehsienloong) February 9, 2024 × Celebrating Families In his New Year Message 2024, Loong said: "As we celebrate Chinese New Year, let us also celebrate our families. Families are at the heart of our society." "One important element of family life is having and bringing up children. It is a great joy for parents to bring kids into this world, and to watch them learn and grow, reaching one milestone after another and growing up year by year. Grandparents, like me, share this joy too. We dote and fuss over our grandchildren, helping the parents to bring them up and contributing our part in this journey filled with happiness, purpose, and love," he added. He said that Chinese families consider a child born in the year of the dragon to be "extremely auspicious," and remarked, "So now is as good a time as any for young couples to add a 'little dragon' to your family." The PM said that he hopes his "encouragement prompts more couples to try for a baby, although I know that the decision is a very personal one." Declining fertility rates Across the globe, fertility rates have been declining. As per Loong, this is especially true for developed societies like Singapore. "Each generation has different aspirations. Many young people prioritise developing their careers, spending quality time with their partners, and pursuing other interests. Even couples who want kids may put off starting families, not realising how quickly it gets harder with each passing year," he said. "All this is quite understandable. But I still hope that more Singaporean couples will decide to have more children, and to have them earlier!" Loong added. In 2022, Singapore's fertility rate hit an all-time low of 1.05. This was a fall from the previous records of 1.1 in 2020 and 1.12 in 2021. Assuring couples of continued government support, he said, "We will build a 'Singapore Made For Families', and continue supporting your marriage and parenthood aspirations." (With inputs from agencies)

'Add a little dragon to your family': Singapore PM urges couples to have more babies in the Year of the Dragon

Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has joined the opposition Progress Singapore Party a day after the city-state called for&nbsp;general elections&nbsp;to be held in July.

“I joined the party because I think that Dr. Tan is committed to doing the right thing for Singapore,” he&nbsp;told reporters&nbsp;Wednesday following a breakfast meeting with party founder Tan Cheng Bock. “There are issues of income inequality, there are issues of poverty, there are issues of governance and transparency, there are issues around housing, there are many issues that are alive.”

Lee declined to say if he would be contesting in the July 10 election, but said he would be contributing to the party “in many ways.”

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/welcome-back-singapore-locals-rejoice-as-malls-reopen-pm-urges-caution-307106">Welcome back: Singapore locals rejoice as malls reopen; PM urges caution</a>

The city-state's parliament was dissolved Tuesday for a general election on July 10, even as the country struggles to recover from a major coronavirus outbreak that has swept through migrant worker dormitories.

Lee Hsien Yang is locked in a long-running row with his sibling, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, accusing him of seeking to capitalise on the legacy of their father, Singapore's late founding leader.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-approves-anti-viral-drug-for-covid-19-patients-304800">Singapore approves anti-viral drug for COVID-19 patients</a>

Tan, a popular figure who was once a lawmaker with the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), said that Lee Hsien Yang was "not just an ordinary person."

"His father is the founder of Singapore, so that's very important," he said.

Their party, launched last year, will not threaten the PAP's decades-long hold on power but the combination of a Lee family member and Tan could draw some voters away from the ruling party, observers believe.

Lee Hsien Yang, a business executive, and his sister Lee Wei Ling fell out with their prime minister brother following the death of their father, Lee Kuan Yew, in 2015.

The Lee family row centres on allegations made by the premier's siblings that he is seeking to block the demolition of a family bungalow to capitalise on Lee Kuan Yew's legacy – something he has denied.

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Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has joined the opposition Progress Singapore Party a day after the city-state called for general elections to be held in July.

Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, has joined the opposition Progress Singapore Party a day after the city-state called for general elections to be held in July. “I joined the party because I think that Dr. Tan is committed to doing the right thing for Singapore,” he told reporters Wednesday following a breakfast meeting with party founder Tan Cheng Bock. “There are issues of income inequality, there are issues of poverty, there are issues of governance and transparency, there are issues around housing, there are many issues that are alive.” Lee declined to say if he would be contesting in the July 10 election, but said he would be contributing to the party “in many ways.” Also see: Welcome back: Singapore locals rejoice as malls reopen; PM urges caution The city-state's parliament was dissolved Tuesday for a general election on July 10, even as the country struggles to recover from a major coronavirus outbreak that has swept through migrant worker dormitories. Lee Hsien Yang is locked in a long-running row with his sibling, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, accusing him of seeking to capitalise on the legacy of their father, Singapore's late founding leader. Also read: Singapore approves anti-viral drug for COVID-19 patients Tan, a popular figure who was once a lawmaker with the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), said that Lee Hsien Yang was "not just an ordinary person." "His father is the founder of Singapore, so that's very important," he said. Their party, launched last year, will not threaten the PAP's decades-long hold on power but the combination of a Lee family member and Tan could draw some voters away from the ruling party, observers believe. Lee Hsien Yang, a business executive, and his sister Lee Wei Ling fell out with their prime minister brother following the death of their father, Lee Kuan Yew, in 2015. The Lee family row centres on allegations made by the premier's siblings that he is seeking to block the demolition of a family bungalow to capitalise on Lee Kuan Yew's legacy – something he has denied.

Singapore prime minister’s brother joins opposition party ahead of July 10 election

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