Greece takes measures against declining birth rates
The plan, jointly presented by the Ministries of Family, Interior, Finance, and Health, includes financial support for daycare centers, tax reductions, wage and pension increases starting in 2025, and reductions in social benefit co-payments. The government also plans to provide affordable housing for young couples, financial assistance for in vitro fertilization, and measures to integrate immigrants into the workforce.
The economic crisis that has affected Greece for over a decade, coupled with migration and a decrease in the desire to have children among younger generations, has led to a significant drop in birth rates. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who described the situation as a "national threat" and a "ticking time bomb" for the pension system, has allocated nearly one billion euros annually for these measures. However, the birth rate in 2022 hit its lowest level despite these efforts.
"Incentives Alone Won't Solve the Problem"
Experts and government officials remain skeptical about whether the announced measures will effectively address the demographic issue. At the press conference, Deputy Finance Minister Thanos Petralyas emphasized that the problem cannot be solved with incentives alone. He highlighted the need for improvements in education and healthcare systems, income growth, and a better work-life balance.
The decline in birth rates is a significant issue in many European countries, including France, Italy, Norway, and Spain, which have also allocated billions of euros annually to address the problem without much success.
Byron Kotzamanis, a leading demography expert in Greece, expressed doubt that the measures would have a significant impact. He emphasized the need for policies that would encourage young people to stay in Greece and bring back those who have left the country.
Birth Rates: Greece at 1.32, Türkiye at 1.51
According to the European Commission's 2022 data, the average number of live births per woman in the 27 EU countries is 1.46. Eurostat statistics show that France has the highest birth rate in Europe, with 1.79 children per woman, while Malta has the lowest at 1.08.
In Greece, the number of children per woman has fallen from 2.40 in 1970 to 1.32 in 2022. In Turkey, the birth rate has also been on a downward trend, with the number of children per woman dropping from 2.38 in 2001 to 1.51 in 2023, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK).
Source: Deutsche Welle
