Study shows young Greek families hesitant to have more children in fear of economic crisis

·

Eight out of ten young couples in Greece would like to have a large family, but cannot afford one, according to a new study concerning the causes of infertility in the country, conducted in January-February 2019.

In brief, poverty experienced by Greek households is the biggest obstacle that reduces births, Greek newspaper “TA NEA” reported Sunday, citing the results of the study.

The research was carried out by the Department of Statistics and Insurance Science of the University of Piraeus in collaboration with HOPEgenesis, a non-profit organization in the field of medicine that addresses the issue of low birth rates in Greece.

Low birth rates are characterised by experts as a “time bomb” on the foundations of Greece’s development prospects.

More specifically, one in two Greeks (52.9 percent) names the high financial cost of pregnancy (prenatal screening and childbirth) and the upbringing of a child, as the most significant hurdles.

Of them, 89.7 percent stated that they would have a child immediately if they were offered the cost of childbirth, while 86.3 percent would start family-planning efforts even tomorrow, provided they received financial incentives for the cost of the nursery.

The study sample consisted of 121 adults, 25-35 years old, from the HOPEgenesis database who had expressed a desire to have a child. Participants resided in remote and inaccessible areas of Greece with a severe birth deficit.

According to the scientists of the study, the birth deficit changes the size as well as the structure of the whole population.

Today, half of Greece’s population is over 43 years old, the population of people over 65 years old exceeds that of children under 15 years old, and people over 80 years old are the fastest-growing age group.

Meanwhile, the migration of young people – mainly scientists – which is yet another consequence of the financial crisis – accelerates population shrinkage.

In Greece, births have been steadily declining since 2008, reaching, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority’s (ELSTAT) recently published data, a historic low below 86,500 in 2018.

The natural balance (births/deaths) has been negative since 2011, while the estimate of the permanent population for 2018 was 0.25 percent lower than the previous year.

In this context, the Greek government has birth support high on the agenda and is already promoting some first measures – starting in 2020, with a bonus of 2,000 euros for every child born in Greece, based on socio-economic criteria.

Sourced from Xinhua.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister unveils reforms to digitise consular services

Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos has announced the launch of a new digital consular platform in Perth.

‘We’ll keep fighting’: SYRIZA MP Kalliopi Vetta on the stalled GNTO Melbourne office

Kalliopi Vetta MP says she’ll keep pressing the government until its promise to reopen Greece’s tourism office in Melbourne is fulfilled.

First-ever online Summer School for Greek Language Teachers in Australia announced

For the first time in Australia, a specialised online summer school will be held for teachers of the Greek language in the diaspora.

NSW Police withdraw AVO against convicted businessman Nicholas Stavropoulos

An AVO against Nicholas Stavropoulos has been withdrawn and dismissed by NSW Police, despite his recent rape conviction in Greece.

Canterbury Bankstown FC’s Greek Australian stars shine at Malaysian Borneo Cup

The Canterbury Bankstown FC Under-16s - formerly known as Marrickville Olympic - are representing Australia at the 2025 Malaysian Borneo Cup.

You May Also Like

Unforgettable evening at the Greek Community of Melbourne School Dance

Students, teachers, and parents enjoyed a memorable Greek night at the annual dinner dance of the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools.

Andrew Liveris confirms Brisbane 2032 goes to market for first major contract for brand design

President of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Andrew Liveris, has announced the Organising Committee’s first major contract is now on the market.

Sarantis Parissos faces victim impact statements over hit-and-run and police car theft

A female police officer who was dragged along the ground in a horrific hit-and-run has expressed doubts about continuing her career.