Can governments ever convince women to have more babies? Here’s what other countries can teach us

Australia is projected to experience more deaths than births beginning in the 2060s, according to the government's Intergenerational Report. This trend has its roots in decreasing birth rates worldwide. Israel is the sole developed nation with a sufficient number of children to replace its adult population, thanks to its culture that prioritizes raising children. Australia's current birth rate stands at 1.48 children per woman, placing it in the middle of the pack internationally.

The question remains: can the government intervene to either prolong life spans or boost birth rates? There's a debate about the role of government in such matters. Parenting advocate Georgie Dent proposed solutions like extended paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and family-friendly employment options. However, the effectiveness of such measures in encouraging women to start families is uncertain. To evaluate their potential success, we can examine policies from other countries.

Hungary and Nordic countries have implemented various incentives, including monetary rewards for marriages, tax breaks, and subsidized childcare. Hungary saw an increase in birth rates to 1.63 children per woman by 2021, but the trend reversed by 2025. The Nordic countries boast of extensive pro-family policies, such as generous parental leave and affordable childcare, yet they've also seen declining birth rates in recent years.

Experts argue that women's increasing standards for a good quality of life and their desire for supportive partners, rather than just government assistance, have become the main factors influencing their decisions about having children. While policies aimed at helping families are valuable, they may not be sufficient to motivate women to become mothers. Ultimately, the decision to have children appears to rest on personal factors, like finding the right partner and aligning with life goals.