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(Cont’d)
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On paper at least, Hungary’s results in raising its fertility rate are impressive, and could serve as a lesson for others. The country plows about 5 percent of its GDP into policies to encourage family formation, including tax breaks and low-interest loans for families with children, and free in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Since 2010, when Orbán took power, Hungary’s fertility rate has risen by about 25 percent, going from the lowest in the EU to a bit above the bloc’s average of 1.5 births per woman.
But the actual role of the Hungarian government’s policies in driving this change is an open question. The country was one of the hardest hit by the financial crisis, which may have had a role in depressing births in the period immediately before and after Orbán took power. Furthermore, other countries in the neighborhood have seen similar recoveries, pointing to what may be a regional trend rather than the success of special efforts on the part of the Hungarian government.
Recent data shows fertility rates in Hungary plateauing, or even dipping. That could be a temporary blip. But if it is sustained it will put out of reach Orbán's goal of reaching 2.1 births per woman by 2030, the magic number needed to keep the population stable without immigration. …”
“…
On paper at least, Hungary’s results in raising its fertility rate are impressive, and could serve as a lesson for others. The country plows about 5 percent of its GDP into policies to encourage family formation, including tax breaks and low-interest loans for families with children, and free in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Since 2010, when Orbán took power, Hungary’s fertility rate has risen by about 25 percent, going from the lowest in the EU to a bit above the bloc’s average of 1.5 births per woman.
But the actual role of the Hungarian government’s policies in driving this change is an open question. The country was one of the hardest hit by the financial crisis, which may have had a role in depressing births in the period immediately before and after Orbán took power. Furthermore, other countries in the neighborhood have seen similar recoveries, pointing to what may be a regional trend rather than the success of special efforts on the part of the Hungarian government.
Recent data shows fertility rates in Hungary plateauing, or even dipping. That could be a temporary blip. But if it is sustained it will put out of reach Orbán's goal of reaching 2.1 births per woman by 2030, the magic number needed to keep the population stable without immigration. …”