a day ago
What's causing Sweden's record-low birth rate? A new inquiry is set to find out
The Swedish government has launched an inquiry over concerns about the country's low birth rate, with the aim of proposing concrete measures to improve it.
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The birth rate comparative to the size of the population has never been lower in Sweden that it is now ‒ and the statistics go back hundreds of years.
"We need to think about the society we have when we have such a low birth rate," Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed said. "In the long term, this is going to be a big problem."
Sweden's birth rate is currently at 1.4 children per woman, which is significantly lower than the 2.1 needed to sustain population growth.
Forssmed believes that this will lead to a smaller labour force and a situation where a small number of young people will need to provide for a larger group of older people.
"This will put the Swedish welfare model under pressure," Forssmed said.
In a press conference, Forssmed highlighted research which shows that one in four women do not want to have children. The inquiry will be tasked with looking into why that is.
He believes that it could be to do with practical barriers, like finances and property, but also biological barriers as women are increasingly choosing to have their first child later in life.
Forssmed also mentioned an increase in mental illness as a possible cause, adding that it may also have become more difficult to find a partner.
The inquiry has a year to report and has been tasked with proposing concrete measures for a "more family-friendly society". Åsa Hansson, professor in national economics, will lead the inquiry, where she will be assisted by a group of experts.
Despite the fact that Sweden already has one of the world's most generous systems for parental leave, Forssmed did not rule out the possibility of further economic motives for parents, for example a benefit for first-time mothers.
"There are countries which are trying that now, and that's why we've told the inquiry to look into what works and what doesn't and see if there are any policies which could be relevant for Sweden," he said.
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During the past two years, the birth rate has dropped below 1.5 children per adult, which has never happened before.
"If this continues it means that every future generation will be 30 percent smaller than their parents' generation," Forssmed said.
The birth rate has dropped almost every year since 2010, according to Statistics Sweden, when the birth rate was 1.98 children per woman. The decrease is seen broadly across society, equally among Swedes and immigrants, in urban and rural areas, Forssell said.
