Sad records and data that worry. A record number of children were born last year. The number of Poles decreased by 130,000. It is as if a city the size of Opole disappeared from the map of our country. Soon, half of Poles will be over 50. The demographic drama does not bode well. What will be the consequences of this and what are the chances of changing this situation?
The sight of mothers with strollers is still a common sight, but at the same time it is becoming rarer, because last year a record number of children were born – only two hundred and seventy-two thousand. This is about thirty thousand less than a year earlier and two and a half times less than in the 1980s.
– We have a problem with nurseries and health care, so there are several reasons – said one of the mothers when asked about the problem. The second one added that children begin to appear before the age of 40, “when the situation is stabilized”, but “actually only one thing”.
According to the latest data from the Central Statistical Officeover the past year alone, Poland's population has shrunk by one hundred and thirty thousand people. To show the scale – it is as if Opole was deserted.
– We already said last year that this situation is difficult. We have been talking about the crisis for months, but it is basically a demographic catastrophe – said Katarzyna Kotula, Minister of Equality.
Prof. Piotr Szukalski from the Department of Sociology of Social Structures and Changes at the University of Łódź pointed out that the trends observed in Poland, the readiness to have children, a very, very clear postponement of the moment when women decide to have children, are trends also observed elsewhere.
Items from the “100 specifics” list are still waiting
The question is what will Polish politicians do about this trend?
When asked if she sees anything that the government can do, should do, but is not doing, Anna Gembicka (PIS) replied that “he should invite to such a discussion and propose specific solutions.”
This is a representative of the previous power, the one whose symbol he was 500 plus program. Today 800 plus. After its introduction, the fertility rate increased, but only for a short time. Now this is a challenge for the current government.
– I think we can always do more, I have no doubt about that – says Agnieszka Pomaska, Civic Platform.
Immediately after the elections, the new parliamentary majority voted to support the in vitro program, and now the so-called “granny” programs are also starting.
– We hope that this will increase the fertility rate a bit, although we need to be careful here – said the Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the occasion of the program inauguration.
However, the list of “100 specifics” still includes full access to free prenatal tests and free anesthesia during childbirth as “in progress”. That and the abortion issue.
Abortion is a bone of contention in the coalition
– Women's safety. Women are now afraid of getting pregnant after the shameful verdict of the pseudo-tribunal from 2020 – said Aleksandra Leo, Polska 2050.
However, there is no agreement in the coalition to solve this problem yet.
Poland 2050 proposed family support as a way to increase the number of children in the campaign PITi.e. the more offspring, the less tax to pay. The same thing, apart from Family Leave, i.e. an additional paid year for child care, can be found in the program PSL.
– We persuade and encourage Ministry of Finance to prepare appropriate regulations – said Urszula Pasławska from the Polish People's Party.
An agreement is also needed on the housing program, which, according to the Left, could also have a positive impact on demography. And then there is this proposition.
– A wise migration policy is also a good solution to the demographic crisis, says Katarzyna Ueberhan, New Left.
According to current forecasts, in 2060 we will be a country with only thirty million inhabitants.
Main photo source: TVN24