India, with a population of 1.4 billion, currently stands as the most populous country in the world. However, several other nations are grappling with the opposite problem – declining populations. In response, governments in these countries are urging women to have more children to counter the trend. Meanwhile, India continues to face criticism for its rapidly growing population, which puts pressure on job availability and resources. This population surge is often attributed to insufficient education and lack of awareness.
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In contrast, some nations risk vanishing from the global landscape due to decreasing populations. In these countries, individuals are so immersed in their professional lives and personal ambitions that marriage and parenthood are often overlooked.
Why Countries Want To Boost Their Population?
To address the growing concern of declining populations, governments across various nations have rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at encouraging higher birth rates. A number of countries are currently experiencing a demographic crisis, including South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mauritius, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Greece, Italy, and Macau. These nations are witnessing shrinking populations, which pose long-term risks to their economies and overall stability. As a result, policymakers are actively exploring strategies to motivate citizens to have more children and reverse the downward trend.
Japan, for example, has implemented notable measures to combat low birth rates. One significant initiative introduced by the Japanese government is the adoption of a four-day workweek. The aim is to provide couples with more leisure time to focus on family life, fostering a better work-life balance. By allowing more time for personal and family development, the government hopes this policy will positively influence the birth rate and ultimately lead to population growth.
Taiwan is another country that has heavily invested in efforts to boost its population. Over the years, the Taiwanese government has allocated more than $3 billion toward the development and implementation of various plans and policies aimed at encouraging higher birth rates. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Taiwan introduced several family-friendly policies to support and incentivize new parents.
In 2009, after experiencing over a decade of consistently falling birth rates, Taiwan took significant steps to address the issue by introducing six months of paid parental leave for new parents. Initially, this policy provided compensation equal to 60% of the parent’s salary during the leave period. However, as part of ongoing efforts to further promote childbirth and provide financial security, the government later increased this figure to 80%.
In addition to parental leave benefits, Taiwan has also introduced a series of tax relief measures designed to ease the financial burden on families. New parents are eligible for tax reductions, making it more financially feasible to raise children. Furthermore, the government has made substantial investments in expanding child care facilities, ensuring that working parents have access to affordable and quality care for their children. These initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to creating a more supportive environment for families and addressing the country’s population challenges.
