SINGAPORE, Oct. 16 -- An average of about 745 children a year were born out of wedlock to Singaporean mothers here from 2020 to 2024, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli revealed in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.

Responding to a query from Workers' Party MP Fadli Fawzi, Masagos affirmed the government's commitment to supporting all children regardless of their parents' marital status, The Straits Times reported.

"Every child, regardless of their parents' marital status, deserves to be valued, supported and given equal opportunities to thrive," he said, adding that benefits for education, healthcare, and childcare are not differentiated.

However, a legal distinction remains. Under the Legitimacy Act 193...