Highlights
The Population Association of Singapore (PAS) held its 5th Annual Conference on 21–22 May 2026, marking the association’s 5th year anniversary. Co-organised with NUS Medicine, the conference brought together population researchers, policymakers, students, and representatives from community and industry organisations for two days of discussion and exchange on key demographic issues in Singapore and the region.
The conference was graced by Guest-of-Honour Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. The programme also featured keynote addresses by Tomas Sobotka (Deputy director, Vienna Institute of Demography), Huang Zhongwei (Deputy Director, Adjunct Assistant Professor, NUS ACRLE), and James Liang (Co-founder & Chairman of Trip.com Group), whose presentations contributed to discussions on major trends and challenges in population research.
With over 150 presentations covering topics such as ageing, fertility, health, marriage, family dynamics, and inequality, the two-day conference served as a platform for intellectual exchange and networking among more than 220 participants from across the research and policy community. A notable addition this year was PAS's first-ever poster sessions, which provided additional opportunities for participants to present their work and engage with other delegates.
The conference garnered significant media attention, with coverage in The Straits Times, CNA, Lianhe Zaobao, 8world, Berita, and Tamil Murasu, highlighting the impact of population research on academic and broader public discourse.
In keeping with PAS’s tradition of recognizing scholarly excellence, the following awards were presented during the PAS Annual General Meeting:
Graduate Student Paper Award
Undergraduate Paper Award (newly introduced)
Early Career Award
The PAS 2026 Annual Meeting marked an important milestone for the association. We extend our gratitude to our partners, speakers, volunteers, presenters, and attendees for making this milestone year a resounding success, and we look forward continued engagement in the coming years.
In the News
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White paper on fertility to draw on research and propose ways to support marriage and parenthood
NUS Medicine, non-profit population group to work on report on fertility, parenthood
Study finds paternity leave has no impact on Singapore couples' decisions to have more children
Study finds that over half of 8-year-olds in S’pore have used AI; most popular tool is ChatGPT
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Low Fertility and Human Development: Multidisciplinary Perspectives and Solutions
Around the world, birth rates are falling to historic lows. In many advanced economies—including Asia, parts of Europe, and North America—fertility rates have declined far below replacement levels, raising concerns about shrinking populations, ageing societies, and long-run economic sustainability. Fertility decline is not driven by a single cause but a reflection of complex structural, institutional, technological, and intergenerational dynamics. At the same time, declining fertility presents an opportunity to rethink long-term human development strategies. With smaller cohorts, societies can invest more deeply in education, early childhood development, and human capital formation—building resilience and sustainability for future generations.
In Singapore, this is a challenge of highest national priority. The conference aims to bring scholars, policymakers and practitioners to:
Connect fertility debates to broader questions of economic development, technological change, labour markets, and intergenerational mobility;
Explore the interplay between human capital investment, early childhood policy, and fertility trends;
Evaluate policy options based on global evidence; and
Provide actionable insights to guide policymaking in Singapore and globally.
Our Presenters
With over 150 papers and posters to be presented from different regions, we welcome you to register and join PAS 2026 to hear and learn from these wonderful presenters.
Guest-of-Honour
Minister Indranee Rajah
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office
Second Minister for Finance
Second Minister for National Development
Ms. Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Finance since 2018, as well as Second Minister for National Development since 2020. Ms Rajah is the Leader of the House for the 15th Parliament and Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC. In the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms Rajah assists Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in the National Population and Talent Division and oversees the Marriage & Parenthood portfolio.
Keynote Speakers
The New Low-Fertility Landscape: Rapid Shifts, Ambiguous Preferences, Uncertain Future Outlook
Deputy director, Vienna Institute of Demography
Editor-in-Chief, Vienna Yearbook of Population Research
Tomas Sobotka
Biological Drivers of Low Fertility Rates (In Asia)
Consultant, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, NUH
Deputy Director, Adjunct Assistant Professor, NUS Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality (ACRLE)
Huang Zhongwei
The Impact of AI on Fertility Rates
Co-founder & Chairman of Trip.com Group
Adjunct Professor at Peking University National School of Development
Chair of Academic Committee of Yuwa Population Institute
James Liang
Special Panels
Confronting Asia’s Fertility Challenges: Policy Paths for the Future
Speakers
Professor of Sociology and Demography at the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University
EUN Ki-Soo
Henry Wendt III '55 Professor of East Asian Studies, Professor of Sociology, and Director for Princeton-University of Tokyo Strategic Partnership
James RAYMO
Amelia TANG
Deputy Secretary, Strategy Group, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore
Chair Professor (Population Health), Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
Paul YIP
Moderator
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, National University of Singapore
Vincent Chua
Strategies to Tackle the Low Fertility Rates -
Biomedical Solutions and Beyond
Speakers
Pravin PERABA
Medical Director and Reproductive Medicine consultant, Metro IVF Melaka
Kyung-Ah Jean LEE
Professor, CHA University
Gynaecologist & fertility specialist, Royal Hospital for Women
Lecturer, UNSW School of Women's & Children's Health
Rebecca DEANS
Moderator
Consultant, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, NUH
Deputy Director, Adjunct Assistant Professor, NUS Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality (ACRLE)
HUANG Zhongwei
Organised By
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
Population Association of Singapore
Supporting Partners
Sponsored by
Book Exhibitors
Important Dates
2025
Dec 26
Abstract Submission Deadline EXTENDED
2026