A government-appointed committee in Norway has proposed several measures to increase the country's declining birth rate, including flexible parental leave and improved access to childcare.
A government-appointed committee in Norway, led by Rannveig Kaldager Hart, has presented proposals aimed at addressing the country’s declining birth rate. Among the key recommendations is to allow a more flexible transition from parental leave to the start of kindergarten. Hart emphasizes the importance of reversing trends leading to more childless adults and a decreasing workforce, which can threaten the nation's economic stability.
The committee has outlined measures to reduce unwanted unpaid leave and increase family time during the early years of child-rearing. One notable proposal is to guarantee kindergarten placements for all children from the age of one, while also allowing parents to take up to 70 weeks of parental leave at a compensated rate of 70%. These changes are designed to support families and encourage childbearing among young people.
Three primary initiatives have been suggested by the committee: facilitating faster establishment of young people into adult life, enhancing health services for new parents, and improving the work-family balance during the early childhood phase. These recommendations reflect a proactive approach to tackling demographic challenges in Norway, aiming both to sustain population levels and to support parents in their transition to family life.
