A study of 1,835 households in Singapore found that fathers who took paternity leave were no more likely to have a second or third child than those who did not take leave. The data came from the Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study (SG-LEADS) covering children born on or after the start of paternity leave policy in May 2013, with the youngest child surveyed born in 2019 [1, 2, 3].
About 24% of fathers took one week of paternity leave, 48% took two weeks, while 28% took no leave at all. Professor Jean Yeung, who led the study, said, "Fathers who took paternity leave were no more likely to have a second or third child than those who did not." She explained, "This may be because of the relatively short duration of paternity leave here, and prevalent gender norms that position mothers as the main caregivers" [1, 2, 3].
The study revealed no statistically significant difference in the likelihood of having another child whether fathers took one week, two weeks, or no paternity leave. It also noted that fathers working as machine operators, assemblers, and cleaners were less likely to take paternity leave.
Higher-income families were more likely to have a second child, but mothers with a bachelor's degree or higher were less likely to have a third child. The findings suggest the short length of leave and traditional caregiving roles may limit paternity leave's impact on family size [1, 2, 3].
The research predates changes made in recent years. In January 2024, Singapore officially doubled government-paid paternity leave from two weeks to four weeks. From April 2025, four-week paid paternity leave became mandatory [1, 2, 3].
The study calls for more substantive policies, including longer paternity leave, greater gender equality, flexible work arrangements, and cultural shifts that embrace shared parenting and fathers taking leave.
Further research will be needed to assess effects after the new four-week mandatory paternity leave policy took effect in 2025.
