Graying Populations

             Many developed countries in Europe, such as Italy and Germany, are considered graying populations. This is because they have a lower fertility rate, increasing elderly populations, and decreasing overall numbers. While they have many foreigners living in these countries on work statuses, many of these countries are afraid to allow more immigration because it could cause major changes in culture, religion, and art. There is a large need to change the policies and provide incentives to increase and balance the younger populations.

            France has adopted some pro-natalist policies that have helped accomplish two goals: “reconciling family life with work and reversing declining fertility.” (Grant, Hoorens, Sivadasan, van het Loo, DaVanzo, Hale, Gibson & Butz, 2004). They give liberal subsidies for child-care and reward families who have three or more children. These are great policies because they encourage people to try to have more children.

            While I fully believe in women being allowed to be pro choice, I think that some of these nations could adopt a policy in which abortions are illegal. If the woman or couple doesn’t want the baby or babies, then they could use the adoption option. Contraception and birth control could be banned to help increase fertility. Also, infertile couples could adopt children from countries who have too high of a population. Not only would it help repopulate the nation with such a graying population, but it would also help depopulate the nation who is rising above its means and resources.

            Another policy that could be used by these graying nations would be to allow more immigration. Culture and other “old ways” may change, but change is inevitable anyways. These nations already have people living there, they just aren’t considered residents. While they procreate on their own, it would increase the younger population.

Nations could also offer other incentives programs. One idea would be to offer medical incentives in which infertile or couples who are having a hard time conceiving could get help paying for fertility drugs, surrogacy, and in-vitro procedures. They could also offer special paid medical leave for parents after their child or children are born.

Many of these policies are already in place in some nations, but could definitely be used in others. By offering help with medical bills, providing easier adoption policies, making more immigrants residents, helping with childcare, and offering special subsidies and rewards for people with more children, these graying populations could live on with more people being added to the younger populations.

References

Grant, J., Hoorens, S., Sivadasan, S., van het Loo, M., DaVanzo, J., Hale, L., Gibson, S., & Butz, W. (2004). Low fertility and population ageing: Causes, consequences, and policy options. Santa Monica, Ca: Rand Europe. Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2004/RAND_MG206.pdf