In 2022 the total fertility rate in the EU was 1.46 live births per woman, far below the replacement rate of 2.1. The implications of this demographic shift are large, as it leads to an ageing population and a rising old-age dependency ratio, putting pressure on public services and countries’ economies.
Policies such as parental leave, baby bonus schemes and assisted reproductive technology subsidies have been implemented as a way to tackle slowing fertility rates and help couples achieve the family size that they desire. But what effect do these policies have on fertility rates in practice, and how do they compare?
Fertility policy and practice: a Toolkit for Europe is a report produced by Economist Impact, supported by Merck. The report provides policymakers in Europe an evidence base that can be used when discussing policies to address falling fertility rates, and help couples to achieve their desired family size.
The Toolkit concludes with the following key recommendations:
- Prioritise long-term thinking. A long-term perspective is needed when designing and implementing family policies, recognising that changes in fertility rates may take decades to have an effect in broader society.
- Invest in comprehensive, complementary and sustainable family support services. Governments should allocate enough resources to improve childcare availability and cost, parental leave, and flexible work arrangements, which tend to be the largest barriers that couples face when considering parenthood.
- Encourage research and collaboration. Continued research into fertility trends, real-life data regarding underlying reasons for observed decreased fertility, country to country differences and the effectiveness of various policies is essential. Policymakers should collaborate with experts, healthcare providers, community organisations and, perhaps most importantly, the general population to develop targeted interventions that address specific barriers to family growth.
- Promote and prioritise gender equality. Policies and activities that support gender equality in the workplace and at home are crucial. This includes initiatives that empower everyone, especially women, to balance career aspirations with family life, therefore creating a better environment for raising children.
Although the challenges caused by declining fertility rates in Europe are significant, they are not unbeatable if we know the barriers to parenthood that we are trying to close. By adopting a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to family and fertility policy, European countries can create an environment that supports families while addressing the demographic challenges of the future.
