SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to use his 2026 National Day Rally to unveil new measures aimed at supporting Singaporean families, as the city-state confronts a record-low fertility rate, rising pressures on parents and an ageing population.
The highly anticipated address is being held on Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Headquarters in Ang Mo Kio. Mr Wong’s Malay speech began at 6.45 p.m., followed by Mandarin, while his English address is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the rally will be broadcast across Singapore’s television and radio networks, while PM Wong’s speech will also be streamed through the Prime Minister’s Office and his official YouTube channels.
Families take centre stage
Family support is expected to be one of the biggest themes of this year’s National Day Rally.
Mr Wong previously announced that the Government is conducting a “major review” of how Singapore supports families throughout different stages of life. The review includes the cost of raising children, access to affordable infant and childcare services and other ways of reducing the pressures faced by families.
The issue has become increasingly urgent. Singapore’s resident total fertility rate fell to 0.87 in 2025, an all-time low, according to The Business Times. The Government has established the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup to examine challenges involving the financial cost of raising children, childcare, healthcare, housing, preschool and education.
The Straits Times reported that parents have been calling for stronger childcare support, more flexibility at work and greater financial assistance as they balance raising children, employment and caregiving responsibilities. Some have also urged the Government to consider additional childcare leave and stronger support for larger families.
Support may extend beyond the early years
The Government’s review is notable because it is not focused solely on the decision to marry or have a first child.
Mr Wong has said the Government wants to look at family support across the “life’s journey”, reflecting the growing pressures faced by households that may be simultaneously raising children, managing careers and caring for ageing parents.
The Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup, chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, has also identified financial costs, time with family, caregiving arrangements and housing among major concerns facing couples.
Interim measures from the workgroup are expected to form part of the announcements at this year’s Rally, while its fuller report is expected at a later stage.
A wider message about Singapore’s future
The Rally is expected to go beyond family policy.
Ahead of the speech, Mr Wong said Singapore must adapt to a rapidly changing world while remaining open and connected. He is also expected to discuss how Singapore can harness technology on its own terms, maintain social cohesion and continue planning for the country’s future.
That broader message comes as Singapore prepares for changes in the economy, technology and society. The Government has already placed artificial intelligence, workforce resilience and economic competitiveness among its major priorities under Budget 2026.
What Singaporeans are watching for
For many households, however, the most closely watched part of the Rally will likely be the practical details: how much additional support families will receive, who will qualify, when new measures will begin and whether the changes will meaningfully reduce the cost and time pressures associated with raising children.
Those details remain the key question as Singapore waits for Mr Wong’s English speech.
The National Day Rally is traditionally one of Singapore’s most important political addresses of the year, providing the Prime Minister with an opportunity to announce major policy directions and explain the Government’s priorities for the years ahead. This will be Mr Wong’s third National Day Rally as Prime Minister.
The big question now is no longer whether Singapore will expand support for families — but just how far the Government is prepared to go.
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