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Why do the French have more children?

Why do the French have more children?. Marina Hinterhaeuser. Italy 0.04% Austria 0.09% Germany -0.02%. France: 0.35% !!!. Europe’s population growth rates are falling…. Figures taken from https://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ (CIA Fact book). Italy, Austria:. Germany:.

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Why do the French have more children?

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  1. Why do the French have more children? Marina Hinterhaeuser

  2. Italy 0.04% Austria 0.09% Germany -0.02% France: 0.35% !!! Europe’s population growth rates are falling… Figures taken from https://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ (CIA Fact book)

  3. Italy, Austria: Germany:

  4. France:

  5. …WHY??

  6. Outline: • Possible reason behind the difference • Benefits and costs of children • Budget constraints • French government’s efforts • Effect on growth rate • Summary and Conclusion

  7. Cultural Differences? Too boring? Too scary? Germans… Angela Merkel and Oliver Kahn

  8. Cultural Differences? Sexier?? French… Moulin Rouge girls and Laetitia Casta

  9. That can’t be true?! Heidi Klum, Seal, and Angela Merkel

  10. According to INSEE: During Jan ’01 – ’04:64% natural increase36% immigration Germany relies on immigrants for growth. Immigration?

  11. What’s the French secret?

  12. Benefits and Costs of Children • Costs: • - education - medical care - food/apartment - clothes - presents - holidays …

  13. Benefits and Costs of Children • Benefits: • Pleasantness • Care for you in the future • (reproduce your genes)

  14. Benefits and Costs of Children Note: costs and benefits are different for each household

  15. Benefits and Costs of ChildrenQuick summary: • Law of diminishing marginal returns • Here: According to Cost-Benefit Principle, parents would decide to have 2 children • 2 children not enough to replace 2 parents for population growth

  16. Budget Constraint

  17. Government subsidises children: • Liberal maternity leaves • Part-time work for women • Some child-care cost covered • Offers child-care centres for working mothers • Discounts on transportation, cultural events

  18. On top of that: If a family has three or more children:  tax breaks MORE money can be received from government as maternity leave compensation

  19. Benefits and Costs of Children • Marginal cost decreases with the 3rd child  Family will have three children

  20. Budget Constraint

  21. Why the French do it better… • Other countries also have subsidies, such as free education, maternity leaves, child-care, etc. • BUT these things to not provide an incentive. They are taken for granted.

  22. Why the French do it better… • By reducing income tax from 3rd child onwards, families are given an incentive to have more children • Marginal Cost decreases • Total Utility decreases

  23. Important Note: • Incentive is even stronger if income taxes are very high: • France: up to 40% taxable • Germany: up to 42% taxable • Hong Kong: <16% Figures from: http://www.worldwide-tax.com

  24. Summary: • French are not just sexier. • French government gives incentives to parents to have three children • Reduces the marginal cost of the third child • Increases family’s budget for children

  25. Many different countries have different types of population growth issues. • China limits the number of children • Other countries need more children

  26. If you have any ideas as to what policies different countries should employ, involving cultural issues, please come to me and we can have an interesting discussion 

  27. Let’s hope that no culture goes extinct Thank you. Marina Hinterhaeuser

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