Elon Musk Claims Singapore and Many other Countries Are Going Extinct

Elon Musk has stirred a debate online with an observation about Singapore and other countries.

Reacting to a post by Mario Nawfal on X, who shared an article discussing Singapore’s “baby crisis”, and the potential role of robotics in addressing the issue, Musk wrote, “Singapore (and many other countries) are going extinct.”

Singapore’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) hit a historic low of 0.97 in 2023, indicating that on average, women are having fewer than one child in their lifetime. The country has been grappling with a steady decline in its fertility rate over the last three decades.

Government data shows a significant drop in the number of women aged 25-34 choosing to marry and have children, with marital fertility rates among women in their 20s plummeting since 1990.

Also, data has shown that from 1990 to 2005, marital fertility rates among women aged 25-34 fell sharply. Although a slight recovery was observed in 2023, the long-term trend remains concerning.

This crisis is not only limited to Singapore, but similar trends have been seen in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and China. Some reports have also shown a decline in India’s fertility rates.

Elon’s remark on X has drawn a flurry of reactions online. Some emphasized Singapore’s strong immigration policies as a mechanism to counteract its population decline. Others pointed to issues such as rising living costs, paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle, financial instability, and so on as barriers to family planning.

Some pointed out that the burden of ensuring a secure future for children in an increasingly competitive world appears to weigh heavily on many.

Visit www.africanpridemagazine.com for more