PETALING JAYA: Low wages, high taxes, lack of incentives, and limited awareness of sexual and reproductive health are among the factors why many countries including Malaysia are seeing a decline in population.
Efforts are being made by a number of governments, particularly those from developed countries, to grow their population in response to issues related to an ageing society.
Their plans include offering incentives to boost fertility rates.
Below are examples of policies being introduced by some of these nations.
> Germany
Generous parental leave, child allowances, expansion of childcare services and giving a helping hand to parents to balance work and family life are among some of the incentives available.
To address labour shortages, the country has simplified visa and residency processes for skilled workers, particularly through the Skilled Workers Immigration Act, which facilitates employment for non-EU citizens.
Germany also promotes the integration of foreign nationals with language programmes, job placement services, and pathways to citizenship, while combining these efforts with pro-family policies.
> Italy
The country promotes higher birth rates through family benefits like the “Assegno Unico,” extended parental leave and subsidised childcare
To address demographic challenges, the country allows foreign workers’ entry through the “Decreto Flussi” and provides pathways for undocumented migrants to regularise their status, especially in agriculture and care giving sectors.
Italy also focuses on integrating immigrants into society through language training, job placement and legal aid, thus balancing its efforts to boost fertility by welcoming foreign nationals to stabilise the population and economy.
> Czech Republic
Families are backed with financial incentives, including up to three years of paid parental leave, child allowances and expanded access to affordable childcare to help mothers return to work.
The country has simplified immigration for skilled workers through visa programmes such as the “Highly Qualified Employee” and “Key and Research Staff” schemes, focusing on sectors like technology and healthcare.
Integration programmes are also available.
> Portugal
Incentives such as child allowances, tax breaks and paid parental leave are available, besides access to affordable childcare.
Efforts are made to promote work-life balance.
To grow its population and strengthen the economy, the country has streamlined immigration through the “Golden Visa” programme for investors and simplified visa procedures for skilled workers in key sectors such as technology, healthcare, and tourism.
Portugal also focuses on integrating immigrants through language courses, job placement assistance and social services, while maintaining a humanitarian approach to refugees.
> United Arab Emirates
The UAE encourages larger families through financial incentives like marriage grants, free healthcare for mothers and children and paid parental leave, while also investing in education and housing benefits.
To support its growing economy, the UAE relies on foreign nationals. It has introduced programmes like the “Golden Visa” to attract skilled workers, investors, and entrepreneurs in sectors such as technology and medicine.
Additionally, the UAE has improved expatriate integration through property ownership reforms, labour law protections, and expanded access to healthcare and education, balancing its need for foreign talent with efforts to preserve the welfare of Emirati citizens.
