The report prepared by ASEPRI (Spanish Association of Children’s Products) in May 2024 highlights, among other things, the difficulties faced by young people aged 25 to 35 in Spain, especially regarding birth rates and family formation.
According to the study:
- The frustration of young people who want to be parents: many feel trapped by the current economic and social situation. High housing prices, both for buying and renting, and the lack of support become an almost insurmountable obstacle for those who wish to start a family or have a second child.
- The high cost of housing: The report states that, due to high housing prices, many young people cannot even imagine establishing a home or having children, which directly affects the birth rates in the country that has seen a drastic decline in birth rates for the past 10 years.
Desire and reality: the clash in birth rates
Women state that they wish to have an average of 2 children, and there is a gap between their desire and reality.
ASEPRI has conducted 2 studies on the situation of birth rates, in 2022 and 2024. Both have been presented to the Government of Spain and the Autonomous Communities (CCAA), sharing data and analysis on the policies adopted by other European countries that are successfully addressing these issues.
The report includes various proposals for implementation in Spain in the short, medium, and long term.
The measures proposed by ASEPRI to the Government
In the short term:
- Promote measures to assist parents: baby cheque, direct aid per child…
- Apply a reduced VAT on essential children’s products as other European countries do.
- Family reconciliation measures: tax incentives for companies that provide nursery services or facilitate flexible working.
- That the government launches a communication plan to highlight the importance of children in our society.
Structural measures:
- Consider increasing birth rates a national priority, regardless of any ideology.
- Develop a long-term state policy that is consensual, to avoid changes if new Governments are formed.
- Increase economic measures to facilitate young people’s emancipation and access to housing: tax incentives for renting and buying homes, increase the production of protected housing to boost supply and reduce purchase and rental prices.
- Expand support for free assisted reproduction by Social Security.
ASEPRI: concerned about the future of birth rates
Mª Eugenia García, president of ASEPRI, warns that “the drastic decline in birth rates over the last 10 years puts the demographic and economic future of Spain at risk.”
Images: Micuna
More information: Communication Manager at ASEPRI | Yolanda Aguirre | yolanda@asepri.es | +34 606 076 846