To address the nation’s declining birth rates and support couples in building families, the Singapore government has implemented the Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Package. This comprehensive initiative offers a wide range of financial, housing, workplace, and healthcare benefits to make it more feasible for citizens to marry, purchase homes, and raise children.
Originally introduced in 2001 and enhanced multiple times since, the M&P Package plays a key role in Singapore’s long-term population strategy. It is designed to assist Singaporeans through various life stages, from marriage and childbirth to child-rearing and early education.
Key Objectives of the Marriage and Parenthood Scheme
The Marriage and Parenthood Package is structured to:
- Encourage marriage among citizens at a sustainable age
- Make starting and raising a family more financially manageable
- Provide meaningful support for working parents
- Foster a family-friendly culture in workplaces and across society
Core Benefits Under the Scheme
The M&P Package offers support in several main areas:
Financial Support for Having Children
- Baby Bonus Cash Gift
- Parents receive up to $11,000 in cash for their first and second child, and up to $13,000 for the third and subsequent children
- Disbursed in instalments over the first 18 months after birth
- Child Development Account (CDA)
- A special savings account where the government matches parental deposits dollar-for-dollar, up to a set cap:
- 1st and 2nd child: up to $4,000 each
- 3rd and 4th child: up to $7,000 each
- 5th and subsequent children: up to $15,000
- A special savings account where the government matches parental deposits dollar-for-dollar, up to a set cap:
- First Step Grant
- A $5,000 grant automatically credited to the CDA upon account opening
Housing Support for Married Couples
- Priority in HDB Flats
- First-time married couples receive priority when applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats
- CPF Housing Grants
- Eligible couples may receive up to $80,000 in housing grants, depending on flat type and location
- Couples applying under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme may also qualify before marriage
Healthcare and Maternity Benefits
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Maternity Leave: 16 weeks of paid leave for working mothers
- Paternity Leave: 2 weeks of paid leave for eligible fathers
- Shared Parental Leave: Up to 4 weeks of maternity leave can be shared with the husband
- MediSave Maternity Package
- Allows parents to use MediSave to pay for pre-delivery medical expenses, hospital bills, and delivery charges
- Newborn Health Insurance
- All Singaporean newborns are automatically covered under MediShield Life from birth
Childcare and Infant Care Support
- Subsidies for Infant and Childcare
- Monthly subsidies of up to $600 for infant care and $300 for childcare, with additional subsidies of up to $540 for lower-income families
- Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS)
- Provides additional support for low- to middle-income families enrolled in MOE kindergartens
- Anchor and Partner Operator Preschool Subsidies
- Ensures access to quality and affordable early childhood education at government-supported preschools
Workplace and Family Support
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- Employers are encouraged to implement family-friendly HR practices, such as telecommuting, staggered work hours, and job-sharing
- Work-Life Grant
- Employers offering formal flexible work arrangements may receive financial support through this grant
- Pro-Family Leave Schemes
- The government reimburses employers for extended parental leave, easing the cost burden while promoting family growth
Who Is Eligible?
- Applicants must be Singapore citizens, with at least one parent being a citizen for most benefits
- Benefits are primarily available to married couples
- Children must be born on or after the relevant policy enhancement dates (the latest updates took effect in 2023)
How to Access These Benefits
Most benefits are automatically administered upon the child’s birth registration. Key steps include:
- Registering the child’s birth through the LifeSG app
- Opening a Child Development Account (CDA) with a participating bank
- Submitting necessary documentation to claim parental leave through the employer
- Applying for childcare subsidies via preschools
Additional information and assistance are available through official sources, including madeforfamilies.gov.sg and babybonus.msf.gov.sg
Final Thoughts
The Marriage and Parenthood Scheme reflects Singapore’s broader efforts to build a pro-family society by removing the financial and structural barriers to starting and raising a family. With substantial support provided across key life domains—financial, housing, healthcare, and employment—the scheme aims to enable Singaporeans to embrace marriage and parenthood with greater confidence.
By offering holistic and sustained assistance throughout the early stages of family life, the M&P Package continues to play a critical role in shaping a stable and family-supportive society.