FirstDate, conceived during the Government Technology Agency’s annual hackathon, will use Singapore’s digital identity system to pair officers based on interests, habits, values and preferences.
Singapore has a long history of state‑led matchmaking, from the Social Development Unit’s dinner and dance events in 1984 to recent initiatives that tap online platforms.
Tokyo’s 2024 dating app and Seoul’s marriage‑incentive programmes illustrate a broader regional trend of governments intervening to boost fertility rates.
A 32‑year‑old civil servant, Ravi Kumar, signed up hoping to find a partner, saying the process feels more personal than swiping. The Ministry of Social and Family Development will review pilot results before deciding on a nationwide rollout.