Demographics is the number one threat to all developed countries. It is one of the most complex and long-term problems we face internationally and in our country. The Prime Minister himself has made it an absolute priority, and as the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, demography, along with housing, is at the core of our policies.” This was stressed by the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou, in an interview with Nikos Hadjinikolaou at the “Demography 2025” conference.

Responding to the question of who is responsible for the problem, she noted: “The first, logical assumption that we all make – including myself – is that when a family has more resources, more money per household, when they have more time and when they have more space in their household, they are more comfortable to make a positive decision to have children. But what the international literature shows us is that in the Western world, this linear relationship has broken down. We see that high-income countries, countries that have strong and historical welfare states, face low birth rates.”

This, according to Domna Michaelidou, proves that the demographic problem is not a Greek specificity, but a global challenge that cannot be addressed by economic support alone.

“We do not, of course, attempt to disconnect the under-birth rate from the financial support of households, which is why we have implemented interventions at all levels and from all ministries, with benefits and services. Even all-day school, upgraded hospitals or better access to paediatricians are a key part of the demographic support,” he said.

The minister particularly focused on the fact that for a large percentage of young people aged 25-35, starting a family seems like a distant possibility – according to a survey presented by Stratos Fanaras at the conference, only 17% of those under 35 have had children. “Other goals come first: to find the ‘right’ partner who will always be there for them, to feel internally mature, to have come to terms with themselves, to have conquered personal and professional ambitions,” he said, noting: “Nativity and parenthood are not divisive but a combined relationship.”