Singapore has launched a government-backed dating platform for public employees as the country struggles with a record-low birthrate.
The platform, called FirstDate, is being tested among single government employees aged between 21 and 35.
Al Jazeera reported that the project is the latest attempt by Singapore to address long-term concerns about marriage, family formation and its ageing population. Yapıştırılan metin
How Singapore’s government dating platform works
FirstDate was developed during an annual hackathon organised by Singapore’s government technology agency, GovTech.
Users sign in with their national digital identity. They then answer questions about their interests, habits and values.
Instead of allowing users to continuously swipe through profiles, the platform matches each participant with one potential partner at a time. Yapıştırılan metin
The system uses the Gale-Shapley algorithm.
Mathematicians David Gale and Lloyd Shapley developed the algorithm in 1962. Versions of it have also been used for school admissions and medical residency placements.
Shapley later shared the 2012 Nobel memorial prize in economics for work connected to matching theory. Yapıştırılan metin
Singapore birthrate reaches record low
The experiment comes as Singapore faces a major demographic challenge.
Fewer than 30,000 babies were born in the country in 2025. Its fertility rate fell to a record low of 0.87, according to Al Jazeera. Yapıştırılan metin
The government has introduced several measures to encourage families.
In August, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced benefits worth almost 70,000 Singapore dollars ($55,000) for each child from birth until age 17.
Officials are concerned that the citizen population could begin shrinking in the early 2040s without intervention. Yapıştırılan metin
Singapore also relies heavily on immigration for its workforce. The government expects to add between 25,000 and 30,000 new citizens annually over the next five years.
Dating costs remain a challenge
However, finding partners is only one part of the problem.
Some young Singaporeans say high housing and childcare costs make starting a family difficult.
Others point to demanding working lives and fewer opportunities to meet potential partners.
Housing can also affect decisions. Single Singaporeans generally cannot buy public housing on their own until they reach the age of 35. Yapıştırılan metin
There are also privacy concerns about a government-backed dating service.
According to FirstDate’s website, profiles can only be seen by a user’s match. Contact information is shared only when both people agree.
The service says data will not be monetised or shared with third parties except where legally required or permitted. Yapıştırılan metin
Governments experiment with matchmaking
Singapore has previously experimented with government-supported matchmaking.
In the 1980s, authorities established programmes designed to help single people meet potential partners.
Other Asian governments have recently introduced similar initiatives.
Tokyo launched an AI-powered dating service in 2024. Seoul has also organised curated blind dates at locations around the South Korean capital. Yapıştırılan metin Yapıştırılan metin
For now, FirstDate remains a pilot for government workers. GovTech has said no decision has been made on expanding it to the wider public.