It’s only a mini-boom, but still pretty cool. Good article.
As Europe Grows Grayer, France Devises a Baby Boom – washingtonpost.com
When Staub delivered twins last December — her third and fourth children — the nation not only increased their tax deductions and child allowances, the government-owned French train system offered 40 percent discounts off tickets for the parents and the children until they reach their 18th birthdays.
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"The government favors families a lot," said Staub, 35, a project manager for a French cellphone company. "They understand that families are the future. It’s great for us."
While falling birthrates threaten to undermine economies and social stability across much of an aging Europe, French fertility rates are increasing. France now has the second-highest fertility rate in Europe — 1.94 children born per woman, exceeded slightly by Ireland’s rate of 1.99. The U.S. fertility rate is 2.01 children.
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