During their second date, Serena Wong and her boyfriend tackled a crucial topic for young couples in Singapore: when to purchase a home together. Just six months later, they applied for a public housing flat, navigating several ballots over 10 months before securing a unit, which required a S$40,000 deposit. This initiated a five-year wait for their S$620,000 three-bedroom apartment in Queenstown, a desirable area where similar properties can be 50% more expensive on the resale market.

“We had marriage in mind, but the housing market pushed things along more quickly,” explained Wong, a 28-year-old business development manager. Once they receive their keys, they must provide their marriage certificate to Singapore’s housing authority within three months.

Rising living costs and lengthy waits for new apartments are prompting young Singaporeans to make significant life decisions earlier. Government policies designed to promote marriage and family growth have merged with these economic factors, leading to unintended outcomes. Recent studies indicate that while marriage rates among younger Singaporeans are on the rise, so too are divorce rates.

The Singapore government has long prided itself on a public housing system admired globally. Nearly 90% of citizens own homes, with over 75% residing in subsidized Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats that are spacious, well-maintained, and conveniently located near transport and amenities. Since 2009, the resale value of these flats has increased by over 80%, sparking discussions about housing affordability for first-time buyers.

To qualify for lower-cost new flats, Singaporean citizens under 35 must be engaged, married, have children, or apply with family. Young couples are informally proposing to each other and making significant down payments—sometimes up to 20%—to secure flats long before they are completed. If they choose to change their minds or separate, this money is forfeited, and a S$14,000 combined monthly income ceiling for new flat purchases adds to the pressure.

Phyllis Kum, a 25-year-old accountant, discussed housing early in her relationship due to these constraints. After securing a flat for S$550,000 that will be ready in 2027, she is planning to marry in 2026.

However, the social fabric is beginning to show signs of strain. A study from the National University of Singapore found that the increase in marriage rates among women aged 25-29, from 45% to nearly 60%, and men aged 30-34, from 22% to 37%, corresponded with the launch of the “Build-To-Order” (BTO) housing program in 2001. This program seems to have accelerated marriage decisions, with a notable increase in divorce rates following it.

“Marriage should be based on love, not just housing,” remarked Sing Tien Foo, a professor at NUS and co-author of the study, which analyzed data from approximately two million individuals.

While many couples are marrying earlier for housing access, longer-term trends show that the median age for first-time marriages has risen. Statistics indicate that in 2022, the average ages for brides and grooms were 29.3 and 30.7, compared to 26.2 and 28.8 in 2001.

Divorce lawyer Mohamed Baiross noted that he receives numerous inquiries monthly from couples looking to separate, particularly when their housing situation is tied to their marital status. Most new public housing buyers face a minimum occupancy period of five years, making it financially challenging to separate before then. This often results in couples cohabiting despite discord, simply to wait out the period.

Dorothy Tan, a deputy head at PKWA Law Practice, mentioned that the average age of her clients is decreasing, with many in their early 20s facing financial stress from high housing costs. Some clients cannot agree on financial arrangements concerning their homes post-separation.

The government has responded with housing grants of up to S$80,000 for young couples, allowing reduced down payments and deferred income assessments. The minimum age to buy a home is set at 21.

With a declining fertility rate, which hit a historic low of 0.97 in 2023, the government encourages families through financial incentives and support for parents. Priority for new flats is given to young married couples or families with children, reinforcing the connection between public housing and family formation.

Caleb Ng, a 23-year-old undergraduate, began attending information sessions about the housing program shortly after starting a relationship. Concerned about future earnings, he and his girlfriend plan to apply for a flat, viewing it as their best affordable option. The pressure to secure a unit is palpable, as many of their peers have already succeeded in obtaining flats.

Ng reflected on how high housing costs and long timelines have prompted him to approach his relationship more seriously. “Even if we’re thinking about it young, at least it guarantees us housing,” he noted.