This forum letter was originally published in The Straits Times on 23 September 2025.

Singapore continues to navigate the complexities of an ageing population, with citizens aged 65 and above increasing from 12.4 per cent in 2014 to 19.9 per cent in 2024. By 2030, around one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above.

Singapore’s Forward SG road map envisions a fairer, more inclusive future where caregiving and ageing are shared societal priorities. The Government has made commendable strides in supporting seniors.

Yet, these frameworks risk overlooking a key perspective – that of older women at the intersection of ageing, caregiving, and systemic inequities.

The lived realities of these older women are shaped by challenges that stem from the triple pressures of caregiving responsibilities, retirement inadequacy, and workplace discrimination.

Given Singapore’s super-ageing society and the fact that the bulk of caregiving continues to fall on women (including older women), impacting their careers and retirement adequacy, it is increasingly urgent to have a platform where the concerns of older women can be heard. The 15th Parliament is an ideal platform, and we recommend that our next slate of Nominated MPs (NMPs) should include at least one senior woman who can empathise with and speak to these challenges.

Older women are often “sandwiched” in later life, caring for frail spouses, grandchildren, and elderly parents. Unlike younger caregivers, older women often do so while managing their own health issues and financial insecurity.

Singaporeans provide an estimated $1.28 billion worth of unpaid caregiving for seniors annually, valued at about 11 per cent of the Government’s healthcare expenditure. Those caring for elderly family members put in an average of 33 hours weekly.

One in seven older adults (aged 48 to 79) juggles jobs, chronic illness, and unpaid caregiving; 45 per cent of whom work full-time and over 57 per cent of whom are women.

A senior woman NMP would signal the Government’s recognition of the importance of these issues.

However, the challenges faced by older women impact all of society, and as the 15th Parliament begins, we hope all our parliamentarians will consider policies with this in mind.

Areas that warrant urgent attention:

Enhanced caregiver support: meaningful grants, respite care expansion and health support for older caregivers;

Retirement adequacy reforms: to encourage proactive retirement planning, implement financial literacy courses; and

Employment support: to address ageism and build inclusive workplaces.

Our society is long overdue for caregiving to be properly valued and supported.

Koh Yan Ping
CEO of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations On behalf of the Singapore Alliance for Women in Ageing – an alliance by AWARE, PPIS, SCWO and the Tsao Foundation