INTRODUCTION
1.1: Study Background
The population aging, in other words, the greying of the population is major concern all over the world. Many factors are leading to population aging, namely, unwillingness to marry, late marriage, fertility control, low birth rate and longer life span. All these factors are also related to developing status of the country. The more the country is developing, the more the factors have stronger effect on aging population and the age population problems of the country is more serious.
If there is no solution for the population aging, many countries, especially developing countries, will face the problems regarding old age care. The Government of the many countries will be facing huge burdens in taking care of the aging population concerning their financial supports, housing requirements and medical care. Moreover, with rising aged group, lack of youth labour forces and rise in wages of the labour are unavoidable scenarios in near future. So the governments are looking carefully into the age population problems in their countries.
In Asia alone, the percentages of poulation 65 and above will increase by 314% from 2000 to 2050. South East Asia region has the highest percentage of aging in Asia; it will increase 430 % over 50 years period. The south Asia is second highest region, which will increase 393 % during the same period of time and the region which has lowest percentage is East Asia region which will increase 243%, East west centre: 2002: 83. The population of age 65 and above will be raised from the minimum of 3.4 times to maximum of 5.2 times in different Asia regions over 50 years time according to these data. Figure 1: No. of People age 65 and above in Asia and its regions
1.2: Study Area
Singapore is one of the countries who are facing age population problems. Most of the Singaporeans are not willing to marry especially at early age. The reason is that they are focusing on catching up
References: Bryman, A & Bell, E (2003) Business research methods, published by Oxford University Press Inc., New York Central Provident Fund Board, 2010: Overview (online) http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/CPF/About-Us/Intro/Intro.htm Department of statistics, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Republic of Singapore: Statistics on Marriages and divorces, 2009 http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/smd2009.pdf East West centre, Honolulu, 2002: Future of Population in Asia - Asia’s aging population http://www.eastwestcenter.org/fileadmin/stored/misc/FuturePop08Aging.pdf May, T (2001), Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process, 3rd Edition, published by Open University Press, Buckingham McNeil, P & Chapman, S (2005) Research Methods 3rd Edition, published by Rouledge (Taylor & Francis Group), Oxon Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sport, 2010: Children Development Co-Savings (Baby Bonus) Scheme https://www.babybonus.gov.sg/bbss/html/index.html Ministry of Health, 2004: Guidelines on Termination of Pregnancy http://www.hpp.moh.gov.sg/HPP/MungoBlobs/456/505/(2)_Guidelines%20on%20Termination%20of%20Pregnancy.pdf My Paper, 2009: More nursing homes in housing estate http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/mediaforums.aspx?id=21158 Tay Boon Nga, 2003: The Graying of Singapore from Huminities Press, Singapore The Straits Times, 2008: Making Babies: Key Policies (online) http://www.asiaone.com/Just+Woman/Motherhood/Stories/Story/A1Story20080715-76872.html Yin, R, K (2003) Case Study Research: Design and Method 3rd Edition, published by Sage Publications, Inc., London