Singapore's demographic time bomb starts to tick in 2018

By 2030, the proportion of Singaporeans who are older than 65 will more than double Singaporeans younger than 15.

A rapidly ageing population presents huge social and economic challenges to Singapore.

The Population White Paper sought to address such challenges so that Singaporeans, both young and old, can continue to enjoy quality lives.

The intent and purpose of the paper became 'hijacked' when Workers' Party chose instead to focus discussion on a population figure, whipping up a great emotion.

Thus a precious opportunity for a conversation on the challenges that Singaporeans must face together was lost.

What got a whipping was not the Government but the well-being of present and future Singaporeans, both young and old.

Fortunately for Singapore and Singaporeans, a rapidly ageing population is something that the Government has been preparing for, having studied the population trends since the 1980s.