Singapore initially implemented population policies in the 1950s-1960s to curb its rapidly growing population due to high birth rates. However, by the 1980s, Singapore's population growth had slowed too much, with a fertility rate of 1.82 children per woman. This prompted the government to change its policies to encourage births. New initiatives included incentives for educated mothers and promoting having three or more children if affordable. When these met with limited success, further pro-family measures and attracting foreign talent were pursued to boost economic growth and meet manpower needs given an aging population.