In seek of Marital Solace in Singapore

Yes, it is confirmed at least in Singapore.

Bachelors who 'missed the boat' there have been importing foreign wives.

The Straits Times reported today (18 June) that older Singaporean men whom Cupid missed, are seeking marital bliss by marrying non-Singaporean women. The numbers have increased substantially from 18% ten years back to 35% last year.Most involved men above 40.

These men married foreign women significantly younger, with four-fifths of their brides being under 40.

These figures were culled from an occasional paper put out by the National Population Secretariat (NPS), corroborating anecdotal evidence from marriage agencies, counsellors and MPs.

A number of these marriages have failed fail due to cultural differences or financial difficulties. Howver, there are success stories where the children of their union, exceled academically.

At the national level, most marriages involving foreign spouses tie persons of similar educational levels together.

Half of the Singaporean men with foreign brides had secondary education or lower, a figure that was similar for their brides.

Almost all these brides came from Asia, according to the NPS.

Matchmaking agencies point to significant demand for brides from places like China and Vietnam. (This was to be expected!)

Now let us look at the other picture-Singaporean brides marrying foreign men. The demographic here is vastly different. These women are younger, with three-quarters aged between 25 and 39. Also, half of these ladies, like their foreign grooms, have a degree.

Last year, around 70 per cent of their grooms were from Asia, 15 per cent from Europe and 6 per cent from the Americas.

NPS expects more citizens will marry foreigners as Singapore continues to globalise.

The Government will expand the network of Overseas Singaporean Clubs in major cities abroad in a bid of promote marriage.

There are now 13 such clubs in Singapore-owned or Singapore-run hotels in places like New York, Beijing, Sydney and Hanoi. They hold monthly events for citizens to meet, and have a reading corner with Singapore newspapers and magazines.

In Malaysia, there are also efforts locally by MCA in this direction. The unmarried Senator Chew Mei Fun once helmed such a club. Strangely there was no proposal for her.

Has Cupid missed again?