The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

How could birth rates best be boosted?

Hosted by:

I write original and in-depth data-driven articles using my skills in data analysis and visualisation. I cover a wide array of topics, among which are Switzerland's place in global trade, climate change and demographics. Born and raised in France, I studied international relations in Lyon, then graduated from Lille journalism school in 2011. I have been living in Switzerland since 2012 and worked at RTS for eight years before joining SWI swissinfo.ch in 2020.

Many countries have seen a downturn in births in recent years. What’s the situation where you live? Would you consider having more children if the material conditions were different? What measures could governments take to encourage people to have children – and should they take action at all? Let us know!

Join the conversation!

Contributions must adhere to our guidelines. If you have questions or wish to suggest other ideas for debates, please, get in touch!
M
Masataka Hashida
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

People are more motivated by love and sexual pleasure than by the desire to have children. If people’s lives are filled with artificial pleasures, they will not be able to return to their previous situation, no matter how much support the system provides. Honestly, the only thing that can eliminate artificial pleasure is religion and a strong individual mindset, and there are no other effective measures to combat the falling birth rate.

人は“子どもを産みたい”より“恋愛や性的な楽しさ”で動く生き物です。__その楽しさを人工的なもので満たす生活が広がれば、制度でいくら支援しても元には戻らないと思います。__正直なところ、人工的な快楽を抑えられるのは宗教や個人の強い思想ぐらいで、他に有効な少子化対策は見当たりません。

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from PT.

Brazil should introduce incentives to encourage childbirth, rather than contraception. This is because the demographic dividend is running out and, from 2038 onwards, the population will begin to decline. In Europe, each new generation is 30% smaller than the previous one

O Brasil deveria ter incentivos de concepção para a reprodução humana, não de contracepção. Pois o Bônus demográfico está acabando e a partir de 2038 a população começará a encolher. Na Europa cada nova geração é 30% menor que a geração anterior

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from PT.

I believe that governments and parliamentarians across Brazil should, for the next 200 years, impose a fine of one million reais on couples who have no children or fewer than seven, in order to prevent Brazil’s population from declining in the years to come; the penalty should be waived only on medical, religious or rape-related grounds, with states and municipalities setting a minimum of always more than seven children, never fewer. There should also be a bonus of 7,000 R$ for each birth for those who have eight children or more.

Acho que os governos e os parlamentares de todo o Brasil por durante 200 anos, deveriam multar em um milhão de reais os casais que não tivessem filhos ou que tivessem menos que 7 filhos, como forma de evitar o declínio populacional no Brasil nos próximos, sendo isentos da penalidade apenas em motivos médicos, religiosos ou de estupro, com os estados e municípios estabelecendo o mínimo sempre superior a 7 filhos, nunca inferior. Com bônus de R$ 7.000,00 a cada nascimento para quem tiver 8 flilhos ou mais

Y
Yanoublue
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Government support helps those who have decided to have children, but does not necessarily encourage those who are reluctant to do so. Having children is a matter of hope and altruism, two values that are in decline and which politics is not meant to provide for the population.

Les aides du gouvernement soutiennent ceux qui ont décidé d'avoir des enfants mais n'encouragent pas nécessairement ceux qui sont réticents à en avoir. Avoir des enfants relèvent de l'espérance et de l'altruisme, deux valeurs en déclin que le politique n'a pas vocation à fournir à la population.

N
Naka
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

Living in Japan and forcing oneself to have more children could lead to further problems for Japan. As a woman, I was born in Japan and I know just how much Japan looks down on women and life itself. Sometimes I wonder whether female sexuality is meant for business, money, or the pleasure of men. Female sexuality is overly commercialised in Japan and there are too many crimes of sexual disrespect. The Japanese are currently facing the challenge of overcoming the high cost of living and, frankly, having a child is only possible in privileged families. Even if a woman wishes to have a child, the family will be condemned if it lacks the financial means to do so. And today, we are facing problems in this area, namely whether this capacity can support the individual or whether a couple can make ends meet. This is what life in Japan is like. The suicide rate among children and young people is very high in Japan, and it is frightening to think that the top priority is to increase the birth rate. Education, the environment and the well-being of the current population must come first.

日本に居住して、子供を無理にでも増やすというのは日本の問題を増やしてしまう事にもつながる。女性として生まれ日本がいかに女性、生命軽視かを感じる。女性の性は商売、金、男性の快楽の為なのかとも思う事もある。女性の性が日本では商業ベースに乗りすぎていて性軽視犯罪など多すぎる。現在日本人は物価高をどう乗り越えるかとの課題があり、そこに人間を一人産む事は率直に言って恵まれた家庭でしか出来ない。女性が子供を産む気になっても、経済的能力が無ければ家族で絶望的になるでしょう。そして現在、その能力が個々人を支えられるのか、夫婦二人やって行けるのか、この辺りの問題に直面しているのが現状なのでは?と日本に住み思われる事です。子供若者の自殺率が大変高い日本で出生率を増やす事を先決とするのは行く末恐ろしいものがあります。先に教育、環境、今いる国民の幸福度が大切と思われます。

N
ninjyaH2R
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

What the government can do is provide support, grants, and so on.____In reality, these things are already being done. There may be regional differences, but____The problem is not financial; rather, couples want to live happily together and not have children.____The problem is not financial; rather, the fact that more and more couples want to live happily together and not have children.____If you really want to ensure population growth, you don’t want to get married, but you do want to have children.____If you want to recruit women and pay for IVF and living expenses until the child graduates from university, you have to pay for the child.____The government subsidises all tuition fees and provides 5 million yen for every child born.____Even if you go that far, the results won’t be visible for decades.

国が出来る事は支援金、助成金等でしょう。

現実的にこれらの事は実勢されています。地域差はあるでしょうが

問題は金銭的ではなく夫婦で楽しく暮らしたい子供を作らないと言う

事が増えている事でしょう。

本当に人口を確実に増やしたいなら結婚はしたくないが子供は欲しい

女性を募集して子供が大学を卒業するまでの体外受精費用、生活費

学費を全て国が補助、1人生む毎に500万円支給ですが

ここまでしても結果が出るのは数十年後です。

Z
z01
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

Wages in Japan are low. Unless you come from a wealthy family, both parents have to work to raise their children. However, there are no vacancies in nurseries.__In orphanages, one staff member looks after five or six children.__Why do we need to have more children when we already don’t have enough for them (time, money, people, social systems)?__Providing adequate care for the children who are already here is a priority. There is still work to be done before we can increase the birth rate.__Or do you want to return to the old society where children were seen as a labour force and where people relied on the income generated by child labour to have many children?

日本の賃金は低いです。裕福層でもない限り、両親ともに働かなくては子どもを育てることができません。しかし、保育園には空きがありません。
児童養護施設では、一人の職員が子ども5~6人を見ています。
いまでも子どもたちのために必要なもの(時間、お金、人間、社会制度)が足りていないのに、なぜこれ以上子どもを産む必要があるのでしょうか?
いま存在する子どもたちに十分なケアを提供するのが先です。出生率を上げる前にすべきことが残っています。
それとも、昔のように、子どもを労働力とみなし、児童労働で得られる収入を当てにして、たくさん産む社会に戻したいのでしょうか。

O
OCRAM
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

Always blaming society shows a lack of vision and is also the easy way out. The fact is that nowadays, nobody is prepared to make sacrifices (!), preferring a hedonistic lifestyle: indeed, numerous holidays in exotic countries count for more than a costly family with several children. Hedonism and careerism, even among women (!), are another obstacle to having children. At best, people try for one, then give up given the financial burden it entails. I see few solutions: the only country in Europe with a family-friendly policy is perhaps France, which grants tax relief from the second child onwards!__A similar proposal in Switzerland, however, would be taboo.

Dare sempre la colpa alla società è miope e pure troppo facile. Gli è che oggi nessuno intende più assumersi dei sacrifici (!) preferendo la vita edonista: infatti contano di più le numerose vacanze in paesi esotici che non una costosa famiglia con più figli . Edonismo e carrierismo anche femminile (!) sono un altra mazzata contro la prole. Al massimo si prova con uno, e poi si rinuncia visti gli oneri che comporta. Di rimedi ne vedo ben pochi: forse l'unico Stato in Europa che ha una politica favorevole alle famiglie, è la Francia che concede l'esenzione fiscale dopo il secondo figlio !
Una proposta simile in Svizzera sarebbe però un tabù.

S
Shox_
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Compared to our neighbours, Germany and Austria, Switzerland is very unfriendly towards families!!!____Here, a woman has to go back to work after 16 weeks, drop the child off at the nursery, and work so she can afford to pay for that nursery again?! Why did she give birth to this child? So that complete strangers could raise it?! No one can raise a child better than its biological mother – that’s a fact! What’s more, the woman and the baby haven’t even recovered from the birth.____In Austria, women are entitled to two and a half years’ parental leave (6 months’ maternity leave 2 years’ parental leave), funded by the state. During this period, the woman receives a percentage of her last salary and is protected against dismissal! After this period, she can organise her schedule as she wishes. Nursery care is, of course, paid for by the state. Not to mention health insurance, which is also funded by the state.____That’s what I call family-friendly!!!__Swiss politics should take a leaf out of their book.____Here, everything is geared against family life.__A penalty for marriage???!!!!! In no other country do you find such nonsense, except here at home!!!!____Make health insurance compulsory! The more you earn, the more you have to pay. It must be deducted directly from gross pay.____What’s happening here, with 100 different health insurance funds, is a massive scam!____Here, most people are so hostile towards children that I’m ashamed to be Swiss.__We always hear people say: “You Swiss are a cold people”!__Well, I’m beginning to understand why more and more.____And a society without children is 100% doomed.____Things need to change here. The ‘conservatives’ must finally stop giving their opinions and getting in the way!____I know so many young couples in my circle who can’t afford to have children for financial reasons, but who absolutely want them.____Is this the “Swiss welfare state”?!?!____But of course, we can understand why billions are being pumped into the army or why everything is being funded for asylum seekers!!!____The direction of politics has completely failed.____Sooner or later, people will take to the streets!!!

Die Schweiz ist im Vergleich zu unseren Nachbarn, Deutschland und Österreich sehr familienunfreundlich!!!

Bei uns soll die Frau nach 16 Wochen wieder arbeiten gehen, dass Kind in der Kita abgeben, arbeiten gehen um wiederum diese Kita finazieren zu können?! Für was hat sie dann dieses Kind geboren?! Damit es wildfremde grossziehen?! Niemand kann das Kind besser grossziehen als seine leibliche Mutter, dass ist einfach Fakt!! Dazu kommt, dass sich die Frau noch das Baby, von der Geburt nicht mal richtig erholt haben.

In Österreich kriegen die Frauen zwei einhalb Jahre Karenzurlaub(6 Monate Mutterschaft + 2 Jahre Karenz), der vom Staat finansiert wird. Die Frau erhält in dieser Zeit einen Prozentanteil vom letzen Lohn und ist unter Kündigungsschutz!! Nach Ablauf dieser Zeit, kann sie ihren Arbeitsplan beliebig gestalten. Die Kita ist natürlich vom Staat bezahlt. Geschweige noch die Krankenkasse, die dieser ebenfalls finanziert.

Das nenne ich Familienfreundlich!!!
Das soll sich die Schweizer Politik mal als Vorbild nehmen.

Hier ist alles gegen das Familienleben gerichtet.
Heiratsstrafe???!!!!! In keinem anderen Land gibt es so einen Blödsinn, ausser hier bei uns!!!!

Krankenkasse verstatlichen!! Je mehr man verdient desto mehr soll man zahlen. Es soll direkt vom Bruttolohn abgezogen werden.

Das was hier läuft, mit 100 verschiedenen KK, ist Abzocke vor grosser Bühne!

Hier sind die meisten Leute so sehr kinderfeindlich , dass ich mich schäme Schweizer zu sein.
Man hört immer: „Ihr Schweizer seid ein kaltes Volk“!!
Naja, immer mehr verstehe ich auch wieso.

Und eine Gesellschaft ohne Nachwuchs, ist zu 100% dem Untergang geweiht.

Hier muss sich einiges ändern. Die „konservativen“ müssen endlich aufhören ihren Senf dazu zu geben und nicht immer dazwischen funken!!

Kenne so viele junge Paare in meinem Umfeld, die sich aus finanziellen Gründen keine Kinder leisten können, aber umbedingt welche möchten.

Ist das der „soziale Staat Schweiz“?!!!!

Aber der Armee Miliarden hineinbuttern, oder Asylanten alles zu finanzieren, für dass hat man wieder Verständnis?!!!

Die Richtung der Politik ist komplett fehlgeschlagen.

Früher oder später, werden die Leute auf die Strasse gehen!!!

O
OCRAM
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@Shox_

An overly simplistic and predictable response: it’s always society’s fault these days if people are no longer willing to make the slightest sacrifice. No, that gets us nowhere!

Risposta troppo semplicistica e scontata: ormai è sempre colpa della società se l'individuo non intende più assumersi alcun sacrificio, Eh no, così non si va da nessuna parte!

B
Bernhard Meyer Nong Chok
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Swiss women need to rediscover their role as mothers. But that doesn’t seem so easy to me. Many see their fulfilment in a managerial role that leaves no room for motherhood.

Die Schweizerinnen müssten Ihr Leben wieder zurückfinden in Ihre angedachte Rolle als Mutter. Doch das scheint mir nicht so einfach zu sein. Viele sehen Ihre Erfüllung in einem Kader Job, der kein Platz lässt für die Mutterrolle.

C
Cofi
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

In my view, this is due to four key measures that need to be taken: 1: Given that wages will not rise significantly, or at all, in the near future, childcare must be free, as must primary and secondary schools. Health insurance must be funded by the state up to the age of 18. After the first child, each subsequent child should receive additional benefits, for example for nappies, etc. Child benefit should be adjusted according to location, income and housing situation (rent or home ownership). Replace the marriage penalty with a marriage bonus!____Effect: more money remains in people’s pockets and it becomes financially worthwhile to start a larger family.____2: In order to reduce costs for the state and families, it is necessary to establish a federal health insurance fund that operates on a non-profit basis, but which is even rewarded in some way if bureaucratic effort is kept to a minimum. Furthermore, the process for doctors’ billing must be revised (as far as I know, it is still at the 2006 level, when far too many hours were recorded and imaginary hourly rates could be claimed). The pharmaceutical lobby must be strictly controlled, and the production of domestic generic medicines must not be curtailed simply because it is ‘unprofitable’ for them. The state can certainly take over production and finally put a stop to the exorbitant prices of a slightly modified medicine with almost the same effect for its own country.____The effect: lower operating costs, lower medical expenses, lower drug costs for health insurance companies; no increase in profit margins means lower health insurance premiums for everyone.____3: The housing situation must finally be resolved. By this I mean that the state should ensure that more flats are built than are needed. Consider that a surplus of 100,000 flats would really make a difference. Rents would remain at least roughly at their current level and land prices would stabilise due to the fall in demand. Perhaps you could finally start saving for your own home. Not after 30 years, but after 10.__This statement seems radical, will meet with fierce opposition from all homeowners (meaning the National Council and the Council of States would never support it) and is not capitalist, but I see no other way forward in the long term.____4: It is urgent that the entire initiative is not scrapped in the event of a ‘no’ vote. I believe it would be far more effective to organise a public debate on the subject on television/YouTube/at federal level with all parties and experts (including citizens from various sectors) and thus provide detailed information to the public. It should then be put to a vote again (possibly with a second counter-proposal arising from the debate) and if the people continue to support it, it must be accepted!______PS: I am aware that Switzerland is generally opposed to state intervention and advocates a free market economy. However, I believe that ultimately, pure capitalism leads to corruption and greed and works against the people. A profit-driven approach in the areas of healthcare, housing and childcare always means that ordinary citizens have no choice but to swallow the bitter pill. In the long term, we must embrace a new form of socialism. The Cold War and the fall of the USSR wrongly discredited it. There were certainly some good approaches! ____I’ve strayed a bit from the topic here and there, I’m aware of that haha. I think points 1, 2 and 4 are entirely feasible and necessary. With point 3, there’s a lot to consider. I haven’t had time to think it through yet. There’s probably a better solution.

Meiner Meinung nach liegt es an 4 zentralen erforderlichen Massnahmen:

1: Da die Löhne in naher Zukunft nicht wirklich wachsen werden oder nicht genug, müssen Kitas genau so wie Grundschule und Sekundarschule gratis sein. Krankenkassen müssen bis zum 18ten Lebensjahr vom Staat finanziert werden. Bei jedem Kind nach dem Ersten sollte man weitere Vergünstigungen z.B für Windeln usw erhalten. Die Kinderzulagen sollten an den Standort, Einkommenkkasse und Wohnsituation (Miete oder Eigentumswohnung) angepasst werden. Heiratsstrafe mit Heirats Belohnung ersetzen!

Effekt : bleibt mehr Geld übrig und es lohnt sich eine grössere Familie zu gründen finanziell.

2: Damit die Kostenlast für den Staat und die Familien gesenkt wird, brauchts eine Bundeskrankenkasse, welche nicht gewinnorientiert aggiert, sondern sogar belohnt wird in irgendeiner Form, wenn der bürokratische Aufwand auf einem Minimum gehalten wird. Ausserdem muss der Verrechnungsprozess der Ärzte überarbeitet werden ( soviel ich weiss ist dieser noch auf dem 2006er Stand bei dem viel zu viele Stunden aufgeschrieben werden und imaginäre Stundenlöhne verlangt werden können). Die Lobby der Pharma muss stark kontrolliert werden und die Produktion von Generika fürs Inland nicht zurückgeschraubt werden, weil es für die "nicht rentabel ist". Der Staat kann durchaus die Produktion dafür übernehmen und endlich die masslos übertriebenen Preise für ein leicht abgeändertes Medikament mit fast gleicher Wirkung fürs eigene Land vorbeugen.

Effekt: weniger Betriebs-, weniger Arzt- , weniger Medikamentenkosten für die Krankenkassen + keine Gewinnmargengier bedeutet niedrigere Krankenkassenprämien für alle.

3: Die Wohnungssituation muss endlich gelöst werden. Damit meine ich es sollte vom Staat sichergestellt werden, dass immer mehr Wohnungen gebaut werden als benötigt werden. Denke 100' 000 Wohnungen Überschuss wäre da ein echter Gamechanger. Der Mietpreis würde zumindest mehr oder weniger da bleiben, wo er ist und die Grundstückpreise, da weniger gefragt würden abflachen. Vielleicht könnte man endlich anfangen sich ein Eigenheim zu finanzieren. Nicht nach 30 Jahren sondern 10.
Diese Behauptung scheint radikal zu sein, wird von jedem Eigentumsbesitzer hart bekämpft werden (bedeutet Nationalrat und Ständerat wären nie und nimmer dafür) und nicht kapitalistisch zu sein, sehe aber keinen anderen langfristigen Weg.

4: Es ist dringend notwendig, dass bei einem Stände-Nein nicht die gesamte Initiative abgeschmettert wird. Denke es wäre viel zielführender eine öffentliche Debatte im Fernsehen/ YouTube / Bundesseite mit allen Parteien und Experten ( auch Bürger aus verschiedenen Bereichen) zum Thema zu halten und somit detaillierte Informationen dem Volk zu bieten. Danach wird es nochmals zur Abstimmung gebracht (evt. mit einem 2. Gegenvorschlag, der durch die Debatte zustandengekommen ist) und falls das Volk weiterhin dahinter stehen sollte, muss es akzeptiert werden!

PS: Mir ist bewusst, dass man in der Schweiz generell gegen das Eingreifen des Staates ist und freie Marktwirtschaft verlangt. Jedoch denke ich sieht auch der Hinterletzte, dass purer Kapitalismus zu Korruption und Gier verleitet und gegen das Volk arbeitet. Gewinnorientierung bei Gesundheit, Wohnen und Kindern wird immer dazu führen, dass der normale Bürger nicht anderes tun kann als die bittere Pille zu schlucken. Langfristig müssen wir einen neuartigen Sozialismus einbauen. Der kalte Krieg und der Untergang der UdSSR haben diesen zu Unrecht in Verruf gebracht. Es gab durchaus gute Ansätze!

Bin einbisschen hier und da vom Thema abgewichen, ist mir bewusst haha. Denke Punkt 1,2 und 4 sind definitiv umsetzbar und notwendig. Bei 3 gibt es seeeeeehr viele Dinge zu beachten. Wozu ich noch nicht viel Zeit dazu hatte nachzudenken. Gibt wahrscheinlich einen besseren Weg.

dario giandeini
Dario Giandeini
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

Why force an increase in the birth rate? Throughout history, there have always been periods of high and low birth rates. The obsession with growth is driving the current aberrations in economic logic. It would seem that without growth, the world would come to a standstill tomorrow. Measures aimed at forcing an increase in the birth rate are contrived and therefore carry side effects whose impact is impossible to predict. There are other reasons why young people do not want to and cannot have children in such a chaotic environment. It would be better to first examine the reasons behind young people’s choices.

Perché forzare un aumento della natalità? Nella storia ci sono sempre stati periodi di alta e bassa natalità. La mania di crescita porta alle attuali aberrazioni delle logiche economiche. Parrebbe che senza crescita il mondo debba finire domani. Le misure per forzare l'aumento di natalità sono forzature e pertanto comportano effetti collaterali dall'impatto impossibile da prevedere. Ci sono più motivi per cui i giovani non vogliono e non possono mettere al mondo figli in un contesto impazzito. Meglio studiare prima i motivi della scelta dei giovani.

緒方正幸
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

Humanity has no right to worry about falling fertility rates when it has transformed the act of reproduction—a biological instinct—into a mere pastime.____The commodification of sex, including prostitution, means that human beings ignore or abandon their biological instincts. Since humanity, which has no mating season and can reproduce at any time, commercialises the act of reproduction as a means of pleasure, it is doomed to forget the mystery of reproductive activity and its benefits.____Furthermore, it is necessary to control or reduce the growth of the world’s population in order to tackle environmental problems, but it is difficult to reduce the population artificially; we can therefore assume that the pressure of natural selection is at work to reduce the birth rate in order to preserve the species.____It is therefore entirely futile and pointless to take measures to reduce the birth rate.

生物としての本能である生殖行為を単なる娯楽にしてしまった人類に少子化を憂うる資格はありません。

売春をはじめとする性の商品化は人間が生物としての本能を軽視しあるいは捨て去りつつあるということです。発情期というものがなく生殖がいつでも可能な人類が生殖行為を快楽の手段として商品化するようになった時点以後には生殖活動の神秘性やその恩恵については忘れ去られる運命なのです。

また環境問題への対処のためには地球人口の増加抑制や削減が必要ですが人為的に人口削減を行うことは困難ですから種の保存のために少子化という自然選択の圧力がかかっているのだと考えることが出来ます。

以上から少子化対策など全く無益であるしそうする必要もないのです。

M
Mario
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

The state should cover the costs associated with raising and educating the first child until they reach the age of majority.

Lo Stato dovrebbe pagare le spese per crescita ed educazione del primo figlio fino alla maggiore età.

dario giandeini
Dario Giandeini
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@Mario

Who is responsible for the funding? The state is not a bottomless pit.

Il finanziamento chi lo paga? Lo stato non è un pozzo senza fondo.

M
Mario
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

Even in Italy, as we know, the birth rate is falling. In my view, to reverse this trend, the costs associated with raising the first child should be borne entirely by the state until the child reaches the age of majority. Controlling the birth rate is an increasing problem for the country, but less and less so for families where husband and wife rightly want the same rights and obligations.

Anche in Italia abbiamo un calo delle nascite come noto. A mio avviso per invertire la tendenza bisognerebbe che il costo per la crescita del primo figlio fosse a completo carico dello stato fino alla maggiore età. Il controllo del numero delle nascite è sempre più un problema del paese e sempre meno delle famiglie dove marito e moglie vogliono giustamente uguali diritti e doveri.

O
OCRAM
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

Unfortunately, the population is declining across the West, with the exception of the United States. There are many reasons for this, and it is not appropriate to examine the causes here. Broadly speaking, one could say that there is economic anxiety, but also a reluctance to make sacrifices (in favour of leisure time, consumer goods, frequent travel, etc.)__Incentives to boost the birth rate? It is possible, but I do not think it would make much difference, given that it is a question of mindset. It might help mothers by guaranteeing them enough time to look after their children without having to work, whilst ensuring they can return to work on at least a 50% basis during the first ten years.

Purtroppo in tutto l'Occidente la popolazione è in calo eccetto per gli USA. I motivi sono molteplici e non è il caso di approfondire le cause in questa sede. In buona sostanza, si può dire che c'è una paura economica, ma anche poca voglia da fare sacrifici (a favore del tempo libero, beni di consumo, viaggi numerosi, ecc.)
Incentivi per evitare la denatalità? Potrebbe darsi, ma non credo che ciò cambierebbe molto, essendo una questione di mentalità. Forse degli aiuti alle donne madri garantendo loro un sufficiente tempo per poter stare con i figli senza dover lavorare, ma con una garanzia di riammissione al lavoro almeno al 50% per i primi dieci anni.

R
ricardohabegger68@gmail.com
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

As far as I’m concerned, the government shouldn’t intervene because we’d be just like the Chinese if they hadn’t done so. __In any case, I’d ask, for example: ‘What are they afraid of? Do you think that when he grows up, your dog will hand him a glass of water?’ And what about natural instinct? etc.____I had six children and even though I lived in the most corrupt country in the world, Argentina, and was effectively unemployed for the last 20 years, I managed to ensure that today they are all professionals working in Switzerland.__Animo__Richard

Para mi el gobierno no debería intervenir porque estaríamos como los chinos para que no tengan.
En todo caso preguntaría por ejemplo:? De que tienen miedo? Cree usted que cuando sea viejo su perro le va a pasar un vaso de agua? ?y la vocación natural? etc.

Yo tuve 6 hijos, y a pesar que vivía en el país mas corrupto del mundo, la argentina, y en los últimos 20 años estaba como un desocupado, me las arregle para que hoy todos sean profesionales y trabajen en Suiza.
Animo
Ricardo

Urs Anton Löpfe
UrsLoepfe
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

How did you come to the conclusion that we need more children?__There are enough people in the world. __It makes more sense to integrate those who come here because they have no prospects in their own country. __At the same time, we must do everything in our power to ensure that citizens have a future in their country of origin.__For example, I support a family in Nepal.

Wie kommt man darauf, dass wir mehr Kinder brauchen?
Es gibt ausreichend Menschen auf der Welt.
Es macht mehr Sinn, Menschen die zu uns kommen weil sie in ihren Ländern keine Perspektive haben zu integrieren.
Gleichzeitig sollten wir alles daran setzen, dass die Menschen in ihren Heimatländern eine Zukunft haben.
Ich unterstütze z.B. eine Famile in Nepal.

緒方正幸
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.
@UrsLoepfe

You’re right. I don’t think it’s necessary to increase the human population, as the planet is no longer as overpopulated as it used to be.__There is no countermeasure to the falling birth rate in developed countries, as it is a natural process.

あなたの考えはもっともです。地球の人口はもはや過密と言っていいほどですからこれ以上人間が増える必要はないと思います。
先進国での少子化は自然の流れですから対策なんてないのです。

O
Onseck
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Observation: The birth rate has been falling for decades for a multitude of reasons that are often poorly understood. __Unfounded proposals: The question asks for proposals for action, but it completely fails to mention the reasons why the birth rate should increase.__There are a multitude of reasons both for and against increasing the birth rate. Therefore, the debate should first focus on the reasons for boosting the birth rate.

Observation: Le taux de natalité baisse depuis des décennies pour une multitude de raisons souvent mal comprises.
Actions sans raison: La question posée demande des propositions d'action, mais, dans la question, les raisons pour lesquelles le taux de natalité devrait augmenter sont totalement absentes.
Il existe une multitude de raisons pour ou contre une augmentation du taux de natalité. Ainsi, le débat devrait d'abord être centré sur les raisons de relancer les naissances.

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I don’t think we need to increase the birth rate. ‘It’s true that’s what the economy and the state want.’ That would mean there would be even more consumers and taxpayers. I believe that every child born is a source of enrichment and joy for their parents and the international community. But please, forget the word ‘boost’. ‘Boost’ is not a good word for increasing the birth rate. Unfortunately, I am among those who believe that our planet is already overpopulated and that it is therefore not necessary to further ‘stimulate’ consumption and the state’s interests. We must care for the children who are born even without ‘stimulus’, for they are our future. In particular, we must give poor children in poor countries the same opportunities as children in rich countries. That would be a good thing for our world. Many beneficial plants grow very slowly but steadily. Then look at how fast ‘weeds’ grow. I do not want to call a single child a weed. But our economic leaders and most countries still ‘naturally’ want faster growth. Is that really right? In the long term, beneficial plants can also contribute to positive and pleasant overall growth. Yes, we need more quality than quantity. Only future parents can judge and decide how many children they want. And this also depends greatly on how the economy and governments look after families. We must promote equal opportunities, health and education for ‘everyone’, and then everything will be fine. Children are the greatest and most beautiful gift for all parents. Even without a ‘helping hand’.

Ich denke, dass die Geburtenrate überhaupt nicht angekurbelt werden sollte. "Es trifft zwar zu, dass die Wirtschaft und der Staat dies wünschen". Damit gäbe es noch mehr Konsumenten und Steuer- und Abgaben - Zahler. Ich finde, jedes Kind das auf die Welt kommt eine Bereicherung und Freude für die Eltern und die Weltgemeinschaft. Aber bitte vergessen Sie das "Ankurbeln". "Ankurbeln" ist kein schönes Wort um die Geburtenrate zu erhöhen. Leider gehöre ich zu jenen Menschen, die meinen, unser Planet sei schon jetzt überbevölkert ist und es brauche deshalb keine weitere "Ankurbelung" für den Konsum und zur Freude des Staates. Den Kindern die auch ohne "Ankurbelung" auf die Welt kommen, müssen wir Sorge tragen, denn sie sind unsere Zukunft. Vor allem den armen Kindern in den ärmeren Ländern sollten wir gleiche Chancen und Möglichkeiten geben, wie den Kindern in den reichen Ländern. Das täte unserer Welt gut. Viele nützliche Pflanzen wachsen sehr langsam aber stetig. Dann schauen Sie einmal wie schnell das "Unkraut" wächst. Kein einziges Kind möchte ich als Unkraut bezeichnen, Keines. Aber unsere Wirtschaftskapitäne und die meisten Länder wollen "verständlicherweise" immer noch mehr und schnelles Wachstum. Ist das wirklich gut? Nützliche Pflanzen können langfristig auch zu einem Positiven und erfreulichen allg. Wachstum beitragen. Ja wir brauchen mehr Qualität statt Quantität. Alleine die zukünftigen Eltern können beurteilen und entscheiden wie viele Kinder sie wollen. Und das hängt auch sehr davon ab, wie die Wirtschaft und die Staaten sich um die Familien kümmern. Wir müssen Chancengleichheit, Gesundheit und Bildung für "Alle" ankurbeln, dann kommt es schon gut. Kinder sind das grösste und schönste Geschenk für alle Eltern. Auch ohne "Ankurbelung".

Urs Anton Löpfe
UrsLoepfe
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Anonymous

Thank you very much for your contribution. I don’t understand why swissinfo.ch would even suggest that we need to increase the birth rate.

Herzlichen Dank für diesen Beitrag. Ich verstehe nicht warum swissinfo.ch überhaupt auf die Idee kommt, wir müssten die Geburtenraten ankurbeln.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR