Khaberni - The Washington Post published a report on the declining population in Europe, stating that it has become a major demographic challenge facing the continent, and raising concerns about its impact on the workforce and economic stability.
The report, authored by Chico Harlan, the global climate affairs correspondent for The Washington Post, mentioned that the United Nations expects the population in European Union countries to peak next year, and then begin the first sustained decline since the "Black Death" in the fourteenth century.
It said that various governments in Europe are addressing this problem with a mix of financial incentives and social policies.
It explained that Scandinavian countries have started forming committees to present new strategies to address declining fertility rates.
France, Italy, and Hungary
In France, President Emmanuel Macron has addressed the need for "demographic rearmament" after a decline in fertility rates by 18% over the past decade. In some countries with nationalist leaderships, governments provide generous financial incentives to promote childbearing, along with promoting traditional families.
In Italy, bonuses are awarded to working mothers who have two or more children. In Poland, family monthly payments have been raised to $220 per child, and the president has signed substantial tax breaks for families with two or more children. These measures are intended to encourage families to have more children and boost population growth.
European experiments indicate that even the largest government programs may only have partial effects. While some programs have succeeded in slowing the rate of population decline, they have not been able to fully reverse the trend.
Harlan said that the Hungarian experience clearly shows these limits, as the country invested 5% of its Gross Domestic Product in family policies, but it failed to achieve the intended goal.
Personal and Complex
He pointed out that decisions related to childbearing are personal and complex, often extending beyond the scope of government policies. These decisions include structural issues such as housing costs and inflation, availability of healthcare, and quality education. Additionally, the decline in fertility rates reflects societal measures such as the availability of contraceptives, reduction in teenage pregnancies, and enhancement of women's education and career opportunities.
According to Harlan, fertility rates in the European Union have dropped to an unprecedented low of 1.38 births per woman. This has led to more people delaying having children, with many starting in their late twenties or early thirties.
Hungary began implementing reproductive incentives about 15 years ago, where the fertility rate increased from 1.25 to 1.45 by 2015, and then to 1.61 in 2021. However, the rate has dropped again, reaching 1.39 in 2024, reflecting the ongoing challenges in achieving sustainability improvements. Some experts believe the incentives simply encouraged people who were already planning to have children to do so sooner.
Youth's Greatest Fears
The writer noted that his interviews with the youth in Budapest showed that current policies have not addressed some of the biggest fears regarding raising children, such as the deteriorating public education system and high living costs. He quoted Hanna Keresztes, a 24-year-old university student: "I think they need to improve other things. It's not enough just to offer assistance to parents."
He noted that there is a common sentiment among the youth that focusing on stimulating childbirth only addresses part of the problem, but does not adequately address the challenges they face after having children.
He quoted Adam Petrizscheim, a father of twins aged 5 years and another child: "The costs of parenthood far outweigh the incentives. It's hard in any country to have three children."
Immigration One of the Solutions
Harlan believes that immigration is considered one of the solutions proposed for countries facing population decline, but in the coming decades, this issue becomes more complex with declining fertility rates globally except in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He quoted Stephen Show, a documentary director who has addressed population decline: "Immigration will only be a temporary solution."
The writer concluded his report by stating that addressing the issue of population decline in Europe requires a multi-faceted approach that considers economic, social, and cultural factors, and recognizes that financial incentives may achieve some success, but sustainable solutions require comprehensive improvements to public infrastructure, education, and health to foster an environment that allows families to thrive.
