Washington Post: Europe in a State of Panic Over Population Decline

SadaNews - The Washington Post published a report on the decline of the population in Europe, indicating that it has become a major demographic challenge facing the continent, raising concerns about its impact on the workforce and economic stability.

The report prepared by Chico Harlan, the global climate affairs correspondent for the Washington Post, stated that the United Nations expects the population in the European Union countries to peak next year, after which it will begin its first sustained decline since the "Black Death" in the 14th century.

He mentioned that various governments in Europe are working to address this issue with a mix of financial incentives and social policies.

He explained that Scandinavian countries have begun forming committees to propose new strategies to address declining fertility rates.

France, Italy, and Hungary

In France, President Emmanuel Macron addressed the need for "demographic rearmament" following an 18% decline in fertility rates over the past decade. In some countries with nationalistic leadership, governments are offering generous financial incentives to promote childbirth while advocating for traditional families.

In Italy, bonuses are given to working mothers who have two or more children. In Poland, monthly payments to families have been raised to $220 per child, and the president has signed significant tax cuts for families with two or more children. These measures aim to encourage families to have more children and boost population growth.

European experiences suggest that even the largest government programs may yield only partial effects. Despite some programs succeeding in slowing the pace of population decline, they have not been able to fully reverse the trend.

Harlan noted that the Hungarian experience clearly demonstrates these limits, as the country invested 5% of its GDP in family policies, yet did not achieve the desired goal.

Personal and Complex

He pointed out that decisions regarding childbirth are personal and complex, often extending beyond the scope of government policies. These decisions encompass structural issues such as housing costs, inflation, and the availability of healthcare and quality education. Additionally, declining fertility rates reflect societal measures such as the availability of contraception, reduced teen pregnancy rates, and the enhancement of women's education and career opportunities.

Data, according to Harlan, indicates that the fertility rate in the European Union has fallen 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 childbirth incentives about 15 years ago, as the fertility rate rose from 1.25 to 1.45 by 2015, then to 1.61 in 2021. However, the rate reverted to decline, reaching 1.39 in 2024, reflecting ongoing challenges in achieving sustainable improvement. Some experts say that the incentives simply encouraged those who were already planning to have children to do so earlier.

Young People's Biggest Fears

The author noted that his interviews with young people in Budapest revealed that current policies have not addressed some of the biggest fears regarding child-rearing, such as the deteriorating public education system and high living costs. He quoted Hannah Kereztch, a 24-year-old university student: "I think they should improve other things. It's not enough just to provide assistance to parents."

He reported a common sentiment among young people that focusing on incentivizing childbirth only solves part of the problem and does not adequately address the challenges they face after having children.

He quoted Adam Petryselim, a father of 5-year-old twins and another child: "The costs of parenthood far exceed the incentives. It's difficult in any country to have three children."

Immigration as a Solution

Harlan views immigration as one of the proposed solutions for countries facing population decline, but in the coming decades, this issue becomes more complicated with decreasing fertility rates worldwide, except for sub-Saharan Africa.

He attributed to Stephen Shaw, the documentary director who addressed population decline: "Immigration will be just a temporary solution."

The author concluded his report by stating that addressing the issue of population decline in Europe requires a multifaceted approach that considers economic, social, and cultural factors, emphasizing that while financial incentives might achieve some success, sustainable solutions necessitate comprehensive improvements in public infrastructure, education, and health to foster an environment that enables families to thrive.

Source: Washington Post