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Demographic problem? Greece increases one-off birth allowance

The government announced on Monday a series of measures for new parents with the aim to address the demographic problem in Greece as well as challenges posed by the current cost-of-living crisis.

The measures are one-off allowance to new parents and thus retroactive from 1.1.2023. In fact, the measures are a structured increase to the child birth allowance of a flat rate of 2,000 euros introduced a couple of years ago.

According to Social Cohesion and Family Minister Sofia Zacharaki, the allowance increases to

  • 2,400 euros for the first child
  • 2,700 euros for the second child
  • 3,000 euros for the third child
  • the allowance is set at 3,500 euros for families with more than four children.

The increase and disbursement of the allowance are retroactive, encompassing children born from 1.1. 2023.

Payments will be made in April in two equal installments.

Finance Minister Costis Hatzidakis stated that, in addition to the heightened childbirth allowance, the following measures will be enacted:

  • increase in the maternity allowance
  • adjustment of income criteria for the heating allowance to 5,000 euros per child
  • introduction of a social electricity tariff for children
  • restructuring of the child allowance for the public sector, with a 20%  increase for the first child and a 50% increase from the second child onward.

The official account of the government posted on social media that “the birth allowance increases as the demographic issue is a basic priority.”

Last week, the Greek statistics Authority ELSTAT said that 73,000 births were registered in 2023, that is the lowest annual birth rate since 1032.

PS Solution to the demographic problem needs much more than one-off state support for a child birth of a few hundreds of euros.It needs infrastructures in many sectors both for the child and the parents especially the young ones, who often both work on low salaries.

At least, the government did not adopt the peculiar proposal of a Greek journo to raise taxes for pet owners in reproductive age.

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2 comments

  1. “PS Solution to the demographic problem needs much more than one-off state support for a child birth of a few hundreds of euros.It needs infrastructures in many sectors both for the child and the parents especially the young ones, who often both work on low salaries.”

    Of course it does but I daresay many people on low income and living in crowded living spaces will be encouraged to have more children – apparently the armed forces are already lacking in numbers so clearly the gov is looking ahead (for our “safety”) 🙂

  2. Doeas this address the problem of one parent families where the mother has either been abandoned by the father or the father denies paternity?