AWARE's recommendation on population

The Association of Women for Action & Research or AWARE says it's concerned that the government's White Paper on Population has chosen to focus on economic growth.

In its response today to the White Paper released on Tuesday, AWARE said it should have focused on the people's well being as the main determinant of Singapore's population size and rate of growth. 

It said that the Paper indicates that to achieve certain GDP targets, Singapore's population in 2020 must be 6.5 million and reach 6.9 million by 2030.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he agrees with National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan's explanation regarding Singapore's projected population in 2030. 

Mr Khaw had said that a population of 6.9 million is not a target but just a worst case, aggressive scenario the government must prepare for. 

But AWARE said that by focusing solely on GDP growth, the paper had failed to mention and address issues of inequality and lack of social mobility.

It said the omission is worrying.

AWARE also questioned why the government is targeting for the Paper to be endorsed by Parliament within just a week of its release.