Singapore launches matchmaking service for government workers

Singapore has rolled out a matchmaking service for its government workers, an initiative that comes as the country wrestles with a record-low fertility rate.FirstDate, which launched this week for those aged 21 to 35, boasts "a different approach to dating", where it uses a Nobel-winning algorithm to match participants to one date at a time. "Swipe fatigue ends here," its website reads.Participants sign in using the national digital identity system and answer a survey about their interests, habits and values. FirstDate's launch drew mixed responses among Singaporeans, with some describing it as "dystopian" and others saying they would be keen to give it a shot.On its website, FirstDate highlights the Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage algorithm which powers the programme.The mathematical framework pairs two equally sized groups of people based on their preferences. The late mathematician Lloyd Shapley was awarded the 2012 Nobel memorial prize in economic sciences for discovering the algorithm, which has been used in public school admissions, medical residency matching, and dating apps, among other things."At the end of the day, I think the experience of meeting someone through an application doesn't change much across the [different types of] applications," Elizabeth, a 29-year-old who works in Singapore's defence ministry and is keen on trying FirstDate out told the BBC.