Daily Lessons from Life 20 March 2013 - Lee Kuan Yew speaks about Singapore's changing demographics

"Lee Kuan Yew speaks about Singapore's changing demographics - CNA 20 March 2013

SINGAPORE: Singapore former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said a country that does not grow its population risks dissolving "into nothingness".

Mr Lee was speaking at a wide-ranging dialogue session organised by Standard Chartered Bank on Wednesday evening.

Joining Mr Lee for the dialogue was former chairman of the US Federal Reserve and former chairman of US President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, Paul Volcker.

This was the first time Mr Lee was speaking about Singapore's changing demographics since the Population White Paper was endorsed in Parliament.

The paper, which projects 6.9 million people by 2030, charts the country's strategies in managing a shrinking and ageing population.

A question on Japan's ageing society during the dialogue triggered the discussion.

Mr Lee noted how Japan refused to take in migrants and that led to the situation it is facing today.

Mr Lee said: "So I see a nation reduced to half in 20 years, and if it still continues with the same policy, reduced to a further half, and eventually, it is all over!

"To have a nation, you must have people and you must have young people to be able to drive the economy and young people buy the products - all these gadgets and fine dining - and if you don't have that, and you refuse migrants as the Japanese do, you will just dissolve into nothingness! I think before that comes, they may change (their) policy."

A question on China's one-child policy was also raised during the dialogue.

Mr Lee said China is headed in the wrong direction with this policy as a shrinking and ageing population will mean assets, such as property prices, will go down.

"Property prices will go down, assets will go down. There is no younger generation to put the pressure up so I think it is heading towards the wrong direction," said Mr Lee.

He added Singapore is in a similar position with its low total fertility rate but the difference is that Singapore takes in migrants to make up for the numbers.

Mr Lee pointed out that authorities here maintain a "certain quality of control" and that is one reason why he feels other emerging ASEAN economies are unlikely to surpass Singapore anytime soon."

Mr Lee is ONLY good at monetary things. Seriously.

Lessons for me are:

1. property prices going up beyond ordinary citiznes' capability to own one or taking a lifetime to pay for one is a GOOD THING? I am not so sure. May be for the established properties owners? the so-called 'elites'?;

2. more people make a NATION? I don't think so TOO!! Just like a house is NOT a home, many more PEOPLE in a country does not make a NATION!!;

3. young people are good for buying gadgets and fancy dining? is this all Mr Lee can think about? Economic values? If so it is simply just disappointing. No money no nation? How about a happy nation with some money?

Sad ...

3.