There were 33,205 new babies born in Singapore last year and the city-state's total fertility rate (TFR) saw moderate growth to 1.29 in 2012, comparing with 30, 946 and 1.20 in 2011, a senior official said here on Thursday.

Grace Fu, minister in the Prime Minister's Office said in Parliament debate that the government has set aside an annual budget of 2.3 billion Singapore dollars (1.85 billion U.S. dollars) for marriage and parenthood measures.

As part of it, further improvements are being made to the pre- school sector and the Education Ministry and Social and Family Development Ministry will provide further details of these initiatives.

The government will also consider enhancing the support given to employers, aiming at family-friendly work practices.

Fu added the government are encouraging overseas Singaporeans to return to the city-state as much as possible.

The government announced new measures to promote marriage and parenthood in late January, including providing affordable and available public housing, assisting reproduction, and incentives of healthcare and paternity leave.

The country has been suffering for quite a long time from its aging population and extreme low birth rate. According to official data, the TFR saw a steady drop from 1.6 in 2000 to 1.2 in 2011.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said in January that the TFR growth with 1.28-1.30 in 2012 was partly due to the "mini Dragon Year impact". He also added the government's target is to move the total fertility rate up to 1.4 or 1.5. Endi

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