This the biggest problem threatening the Greek Nation with extinction if the trend is not reversed . I am currently researching the subject for a think tank and will revert with more comments and ideas.
3 points briefly for now: Greece has to drastically adapt taxation to boost young families with kids s revenues. Greece has to address the calamitous housing by prioritizing local families over golden visas and short-term rentals. Greece has to work on a cultural shift on how the younger generation perceives and values family and child bearing. None of all these has been properly addressed and one wornders why the relevant ministries do not engage with competent and knowledgeable people.
These are all valid issues, no doubt. Thankfully, they are well established and recognized across the board. Unfortunately, they are also tricky to solve. Also, the more with move into the intangible/cultural aspect, the tougher it gets to find the right solution. So far, we have seen few relevant proposals that also look at the long-term consequences.
I’m pretty sure the relevant ministries (including the new one created specifically with the task to focus on families and demographics) are talking with experts. If anything, there is a higher sense of urgency today vs a few years ago. Nevertheless, much more needs to be done given the magnitude of the problem. We need to both do more and invest more to mitigate it as much as we can.
The demographic issue is one that will come back to haunt us if not dealt with properly now. At least we're moving in the right direction, but still a long way from where we should be. Can't complain too much I suppose, considering a few years back we were on the brink of financial collapse. Let's hope things keep improving. Looking forward to reading more of these!
The problem is that from 2015 until now we have more deaths than births and worse thing is that the rate is increasing. Its tells me that the decison makers need to rethink the measures they implemented, until they find product market fit, just like you would if you were building a startup product.
We are certainly very far from PMF in demographic strategy, but there are also not that many highly successful examples to emulate from the Western world. We will have to think out of the box and go big, if we really care about ever reverting (or at least, mitigating) this trend.
I completely agree with you, but giving some money for every birth is not thinking out of the box and we certainly need to think how we can revert the situation. Right now we are adding bandaids to a serious problem, that needs more drastic measures.
Handouts will not do the trick, but broader economic incentives can help. At the end of the day, this requires a holistic process that combines cultural, societal, urban factors together with economics.
Let me add one more suggestion: child-friendly cities. I think aesthetics and feelings are as important a part as economic incentives. Right now we can't even use a stroller, much less lead active playful lifestyles without having to pay for activities and transportation.
That is an excellent point. Aesthetics and feelings play a much bigger role than we often credit them. But so does pure convenience. As you point out with your stroller example, Greek cities leave a lot to be desired. We need to focus more on building urban areas that are more conducive to raising a family and also find ways to revitalize our rural areas.
Better transportation, more green spaces, accessible streets and higher quality infrastructure are all just some of the aspects we need to do much better on.
This the biggest problem threatening the Greek Nation with extinction if the trend is not reversed . I am currently researching the subject for a think tank and will revert with more comments and ideas.
3 points briefly for now: Greece has to drastically adapt taxation to boost young families with kids s revenues. Greece has to address the calamitous housing by prioritizing local families over golden visas and short-term rentals. Greece has to work on a cultural shift on how the younger generation perceives and values family and child bearing. None of all these has been properly addressed and one wornders why the relevant ministries do not engage with competent and knowledgeable people.
These are all valid issues, no doubt. Thankfully, they are well established and recognized across the board. Unfortunately, they are also tricky to solve. Also, the more with move into the intangible/cultural aspect, the tougher it gets to find the right solution. So far, we have seen few relevant proposals that also look at the long-term consequences.
I’m pretty sure the relevant ministries (including the new one created specifically with the task to focus on families and demographics) are talking with experts. If anything, there is a higher sense of urgency today vs a few years ago. Nevertheless, much more needs to be done given the magnitude of the problem. We need to both do more and invest more to mitigate it as much as we can.
The demographic issue is one that will come back to haunt us if not dealt with properly now. At least we're moving in the right direction, but still a long way from where we should be. Can't complain too much I suppose, considering a few years back we were on the brink of financial collapse. Let's hope things keep improving. Looking forward to reading more of these!
The problem is that from 2015 until now we have more deaths than births and worse thing is that the rate is increasing. Its tells me that the decison makers need to rethink the measures they implemented, until they find product market fit, just like you would if you were building a startup product.
We are certainly very far from PMF in demographic strategy, but there are also not that many highly successful examples to emulate from the Western world. We will have to think out of the box and go big, if we really care about ever reverting (or at least, mitigating) this trend.
I completely agree with you, but giving some money for every birth is not thinking out of the box and we certainly need to think how we can revert the situation. Right now we are adding bandaids to a serious problem, that needs more drastic measures.
Handouts will not do the trick, but broader economic incentives can help. At the end of the day, this requires a holistic process that combines cultural, societal, urban factors together with economics.
Let me add one more suggestion: child-friendly cities. I think aesthetics and feelings are as important a part as economic incentives. Right now we can't even use a stroller, much less lead active playful lifestyles without having to pay for activities and transportation.
https://adammarkakis.substack.com/p/466
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/jan/23/children-suffering-due-to-lack-of-outdoor-play-uk-charities-warn
p.s. once again, thanks for the shoutout!
That is an excellent point. Aesthetics and feelings play a much bigger role than we often credit them. But so does pure convenience. As you point out with your stroller example, Greek cities leave a lot to be desired. We need to focus more on building urban areas that are more conducive to raising a family and also find ways to revitalize our rural areas.
Better transportation, more green spaces, accessible streets and higher quality infrastructure are all just some of the aspects we need to do much better on.