Is having children an economic or social issue, or is it both?
Will a few hundred euros more in benefits (increasing from €628 to €1,000) motivate couples to have a second child for €1,500? Or a third for €2,000?
Is our current fertility rate of 1.3 children per family due to parental leave being limited to children under 8? Would extending it to age 15 suddenly inspire us to have two, three, or four children?
Will young women rush to have children before turning 30 to claim the €200 monthly benefit for two years? Is €4,800 really an incentive to bring a child into the world? Especially under the pressure of a ticking government deadline.
This pressure – both biological and social – already exists and will only intensify if the announced measures are implemented as planned.
“When are you getting married? You’re nearly 30. Hurry up and claim your €200 a month…”
We’re essentially reverting to the old “you’ll end up on the shelf, hurry up” mentality. If years ago the concern was about daughters becoming spinsters, today we’re being told to start reproducing early to maximise our childbearing years. Before the biological clock runs out.
Why should an 18, 20, 27, or 30-year-old who might have one child be rewarded over a 35-year-old who has three?
What exactly is the rationale behind incentivising women to have children before 30? Does this align with gender equality principles – the very reason this government appointed an Commissioner?
The demographic challenge is clear. Birth rates are declining, life expectancy is increasing, and populations are inevitably ageing.
This is happening across Europe. Births dropped from over 5 million in 1990 to 3.88 million in 2022.
According to Eurostat, fertility rates range from 1.79 in France to 1.08 in Malta. Pension funds are depleting, workforce numbers are dwindling… And yes, there are fewer potential soldiers in case of war.
“The country’s demographic recovery is a supreme national priority”, says the president.
To which Greek singer Vitali would respond: “Am I just a cog in your machine, and my son a spare part? We’ll serve you faithfully forever, we’re made of premium material”.