Norway is grappling with a significant decline in fertility rates, prompting the country to turn to immigration as a solution to counter its population loss. Kjersti Toppe, Norway’s Minister for Children and Families, is urging Norwegian women to increase childbirth rates to address the demographic challenge.
With the current average fertility rate standing at 1.41 children per woman, Toppe emphasizes the need to raise it to 2.1, a level not seen since the 1970s. Since 2009, Norway has experienced a consistent yearly decline in fertility rates, except for 2021, despite recording a record low number of abortions. First-time parents are also becoming older, exacerbating the situation.
To prevent further population decline, immigration has become crucial, with immigrants constituting 18.9% of Norway’s population in 2022, up from a mere 4.3% three decades ago. Toppe recognizes the need for significant measures to boost birth rates and ensure a sustainable society.
In pursuit of this goal, Toppe proposes radical initiatives, such as improving financial support for students and benefit recipients, offering tax relief for families with more than two children, expanding child benefits, and enhancing access to nursery places.
Having raised six children herself, Toppe regards newborns as a testament to a society’s success. She highlights the importance of securing the future by encouraging a higher birth rate, acknowledging the challenges of aging populations and the need for future generations to sustain society.
Norway’s fertility decline reflects a broader demographic issue across Europe, impacting both Western and Eastern European nations. Finland, Norway’s neighbor, is also witnessing a notable decline in fertility rates, reaching historic lows not seen in over 150 years.
Across the European Union, the total fertility rate in 2020 stood at a mere 1.5 births per woman, significantly below the level necessary for natural population reproduction and growth. Immigration has become a significant driver of population growth in many EU countries, leading to notable shifts in demographics, such as in neighboring Sweden, where projections indicate ethnic Swedes may become a minority in metropolitan areas.
By addressing the declining fertility rates and embracing immigration, Norway aims to navigate the demographic challenges it faces and ensure a sustainable future.
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