Greece plans eight measures to tackle demographic decline, including doubling child benefit
The Greek government is preparing a package of eight measures aimed at supporting families with children and addressing the country’s demographic decline, with a particular focus on doubling child benefits and introducing new tax, housing and social policies to encourage higher birth rates.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to outline the government’s demographic initiatives during the opening of the Thessaloniki International Fair, with the measures focusing on financial support for families, tax relief, housing assistance and additional support for families with three or more children.
The proposed policies are designed to ease the financial burden on young parents while providing stronger incentives for couples considering starting a family.
Eight measures targeting the demographic crisis
The government’s economic policy team is preparing interventions across eight key areas.
1. Financial support for families
The package includes proposals to increase and expand birth and child benefits, introduce additional tax relief for families with children and reduce the cost of raising children through childcare facilities, school services and healthcare.
Additional support would also be provided to families with three or more children.
2. Housing support for young families
The high cost of buying or renting a home is identified as one of the major obstacles facing couples considering having children.
Potential measures include low-interest housing loans for young parents, social housing schemes, rent subsidies for families with children and the use of vacant properties.
3. Combining work and family life
The government is also considering measures aimed at reducing professional insecurity among prospective parents.
These could include more flexible working arrangements for parents, stronger maternity and paternity protections, greater participation by fathers in childcare and longer parental leave.
4. Support for fertility treatment
Another area under consideration is expanded access to assisted reproduction treatments and fertility services.
The proposals include covering more fertility treatments, improving access to relevant healthcare services, raising awareness among young people about fertility preservation and strengthening public healthcare structures in this field.
5. Reversing the brain drain
The government is also looking at ways to encourage young Greeks living abroad to return.
Potential measures include better salaries and working conditions, incentives for Greeks abroad to return and the creation of high-quality, highly skilled jobs.
6. Policies for regional areas
Population decline and depopulation are particularly severe in some parts of Greece.
The proposed measures include incentives for young families to settle in regional areas, the creation of jobs outside major urban centers and improved access to healthcare, education and digital services.
7. Migration policy
The demographic strategy also includes policies aimed at integrating legal migrants into the economy and attracting workers to sectors facing labor shortages.
The government is also considering integration policies for second-generation migrants.
8. Changing social perceptions
The final area focuses on changing perceptions surrounding family formation by promoting the value of family life without creating social pressure.
The proposed approach includes better information about the challenges and opportunities associated with starting a family and policies designed to make having children a less financially risky decision.
The measures are part of a broader government effort to address Greece’s long-term demographic challenge, which is being driven by declining birth rates, population ageing and the departure of younger workers abroad.
