Govt Introduces Platform to Arrange Marriages of Civil Servants

Singapore is expanding government support for marriage and parenthood as the country faces a record-low fertility rate. The government has launched a matchmaking service for public officers. The FirstDate pilot uses an algorithm to match single workers aged 21 to 35 based on their interests, habits, values and preferences.

The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) launched FirstDate as a pilot across the public service. The service targets public officers aged 21 to 35. Applications close on October 5.

Users sign up through Singpass, Singapore’s national digital identity system. They then complete a questionnaire about their interests, habits, values and preferences. The questions can cover factors such as age, religion and personal deal-breakers.

FirstDate gives users one match at a time instead of a long list of profiles. It uses the Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage algorithm to create matches based on participants’ preferences. Both people receive the match and have 72 hours to decide whether they want to connect.

The platform also offers suggested activities for matched users. After each match, users receive a short survey about their experience.

Birth Rate Hits Record Low

The initiative comes as Singapore records a sharp decline in fertility. The resident total fertility rate fell to 0.87 in 2025, down from 0.97 in 2024. Citizen marriages also fell from 22,955 in 2024 to 21,671 in 2025.

FirstDate began as an idea at GovTech’s annual hackathon. The agency said the project aims to offer a different approach to dating by focusing on compatibility and fewer matches rather than repeated swiping.

The country has previously studied ways to help young adults form relationships. Its 2021 Marriage and Parenthood Survey found that 80% of single respondents aged 21 to 35 intended to marry.