CASE STUDY - Pro Natal Policies

Question 1

Define pro-natal.

Answer 1

Encouraging people to have (more) children.

Question 2

Name some countries that have pro-natalist incentives in Europe.

Answer 2

• France
• Italy
• Sweden
• Poland
• Germany
• Spain
• Norway

Question 3

What are some of Norway’s incentives?

Answer 3

• 10-12 months maternity leave
• 80-100% of wages during leave
• ‘Daddy quota’ - time off for new fathers

Question 4

What are some of France’s incentives?

Answer 4

• Affordable child care
• Tax breaks for larger families
• Flexible working hours for mothers

Question 5

What are some Italy’s incentives?

Answer 5

• ‘Baby bonus’ paid for 2nd (and soon) 1st child born (1000 euros)
• Women under the scheme in straightened economic circumstances would get between 250-350 euros a month for up to 6 months to giving birth.

Question 6

What are some of Sweden’s incentives?

Answer 6

• Flexible working hours for family men and women
• 13 months paid paternity leave at 80% of normal salary
• High quality child care
• Extra money if the gap between the children is less than 30 months
• Child benefit is paid for each child
• Sick child care - 120 days per child per year

Question 7

What were some cons of the Swedish policies?

Answer 7

• Rapid population growth
• Cost the government a lot of money
• If it was too successful, they would have to take the incentives away which would be unpopular

Question 8

What were some pros of the Swedish policies?

Answer 8

• Lots of good incentives to encourage more frequent child birth
• Families are still given enough to survive