NDR 2026 highlights: More childcare leave, BTO income ceiling raised as PM Wong unveils major family support measures
The measures broaden public-housing eligibility and prioritise growing families, potentially increasing BTO applications while enabling more households to secure subsidised homes earlier.
Singapore will raise the BTO income ceiling from S$14,000 to S$16,000 for the first time in seven years and grant first-timer families an extra ballot chance per child.
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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled a major expansion of support for families at his National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 23), including more childcare leave and plans to significantly lower preschool fees. Housing support will also be expanded. The income ceiling for Build-to-Order (BTO) flats will rise for the first time in seven years - from S$14,000 to S$16,000 . First-timer families will get an additional ballot chance for every child they have or are expecting. The measures form part of a broader shift towards supporting families throughout the journey of raising their children, rather than concentrating help around childbirth. Beyond families, Mr Wong laid out how Singapore intends to navigate a world that he described as more contested, unstable and dangerous. He said the country would embrace technologies such as artificial intelligence while managing their risks and supporting affected workers. Stronger protections for young social media users are on the horizon, including more robust age checks and safeguards for teenagers. Drawing his speech to a close with the stories of three Singaporeans who persevered through setbacks, Mr Wong called on Singaporeans to stay united and “go forward together” to build a stronger Singapore. “If we stay united, keep faith with one another, and hold fast to the values that have brought us this far, I am confident we will rise to every challenge – and we will prevail,” he said. Catch up on the key announcements.