Southeast Asia's lowest-fertility nation launches dating service for public servants

Singapore has launched a dating platform for public officials, in the city-state's latest experiment meant to tackle declining marriage and historically low fertility rates.

The algorithm-powered pilot initiative, unveiled on Tuesday and named FirstDate, targets employees aged between 21 to 35 and promises to end "swipe fatigue", associated with some dating apps, while building a "thoughtful connection".

Public officials can fill out details including interests, habits, religious preferences and "dealbreakers".

The platform promises absolute privacy, saying "only your match sees your profile, and you decide if your contact details are shared".

Office workers go for lunch at the central business district in Singapore, April 26, 2022. Photo by Reuters

It does, however, also ask users to "Tell us how your date went!" with a star rating and an optional feedback box.

Applications to take part in the pilot close on Monday.

Singapore, which has a population of just over six million people, saw record-low fertility rates last year.

Fewer Singaporeans are getting married, with official figures showing that marriage registrations fell for the third consecutive year in 2025.

Singapore also officially became a super-aged society this year, where at least 21% of the population is aged 65 and above.

The country's total fertility rate (TFR) fell to a record low of 0.87 last year, down from 0.97 in 2024 and 1.24 a decade prior, making it the country with the lowest birthrate in Southeast Asia.

In August, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a robust package encouraging larger families, including generous financial incentives.

In Japan, an AI-powered dating app launched by the Tokyo government in 2024 to lift Japan's low birthrate led to 265 marriages.