Hungary opens state-sponsored fertility clinics to counter population decline
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Hungary wants to boost declining birth rates by providing state-sponsored fertility treatments.
A new program has purchased six private IVF clinics and put them under the state’s control. The clinics will provide free fertility drugs and treatments to Hungarian citizens.
Four thousand babies are expected to be born by 2022 because of the new funding.
Hungary says they are increasing access to Women’s healthcare – but many experts criticise the centralisation.
Prime Minister Victor Orban has been adamant about increasing Hungary’s population. A “family protection action plan” was introduced in February 2019 with the aim of countering a declining population. It included financial aides for couples who take on children, a housing loan, and an income tax exemption for women who have four children or more.
Hungary’s population has decreased by more than 100,000 people since 2010. Fertility rates are below average at 1.45 children per woman, well below the 2.1 that many experts agree is necessary to maintain a population.
Orban has said the answer to increasing the population is not increasing immigration.
