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According to MSF, paternity leave take-up remains steady at over 50%, as newer marriages last longer and more families report stronger support systems.
More fathers in Singapore are embracing their role at home, with the take-up rate for Government-Paid Paternity Leave holding steady at over 50% in recent years. This is according to the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) Family Trends Report 2025, which tracks key developments in marriage, parenthood, and family life.
Meanwhile, the take-up of Government-Paid Maternity Leave remains high, ranging between 74% and 79%. MSF is encouraging both parents to make use of available provisions, including up to additional six weeks of paid shared parental leave, to bond with their children and share the parenthood journey more equally.
Marriage stability is also on the rise. Data shows that fewer couples are divorcing within the first decade of marriage. For instance, 17% of the 2005 marriage cohort dissolved before the 10-year mark, compared to just 14.4% of the 2013 cohort. While the total number of marriages registered in 2024 fell by 7% from the year before, the longer-term trend signals greater stability in newer marriage cohorts.
Workplace flexibility for working parents
Employers are playing a key role in helping families thrive. The percentage of employees with access to the flexible work arrangements they need increased from 84.1% in 2022 to 87% in 2023. This flexibility is helping working parents manage both caregiving duties and career growth more effectively.
These developments reflect broader efforts to build a family-friendly environment in Singapore, one that supports individuals at different stages of life.
Childcare access improves while costs fall
Singapore continues to expand access to quality and affordable childcare. Over the last decade, full-day infant care places nearly tripled, and full-day childcare places nearly doubled. As a result, preschool enrolment has increased significantly, with 90% of three- to four-year-olds enrolled in 2024, up from 76% in 2014.
To keep early education affordable, subsidies and fee caps have been put in place. Median fees for infant care dropped from S$1,275 in 2020 to S$1,235 in 2024. Similarly, childcare fees declined from S$800 to S$720 over the same period. Fee caps at Anchor Operator (AOP) and Partner Operator (POP) for preschools were lowered by S$40 in January 2024 and will be reduced by another S$30 in 2026.
Support for children with developmental needs has also grown, according to the report findings. In 2024, about 1,500 new places were added at early intervention centres, boosting capacity by 26% from the previous year. That same year, ECDA launched the EIPIC-Care pilot, which trains caregivers of toddlers with developmental needs to support learning and growth at home.
Stronger intergenerational and emotional bonds
Family resilience is a consistent theme in the latest report. A 2024 study by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), cited in the report, found that nine in 10 parents reported moderate to high levels of family resilience. Parents who reported family resilience also tended to report better overall wellbeing.
Older Singaporeans also feel supported by their families. According to a 2024 study by the NCSS, 62% of respondents aged 65 and above said they were satisfied with the support received from their family, while 62.3% expressed satisfaction with their family relationships.
Intergenerational ties remain a strong priority among families. In an MSF survey conducted in 2023, 90.4% of respondents agreed that it is important for grandparents and grandchildren to maintain close relationships.
A family-first approach for the future
The 2025 report offers a hopeful outlook for family life in Singapore. With rising paternity leave participation, growing workplace support, and more stable marriages, the foundations for strong families are being laid.
Read the full Family Trends Report 2025 here.
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