Demographic Results of Introduction of Maternity Grants

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Demographic Results of Introduction of Maternity Grants

Journal Title: Демографія та соціальна економіка - Year 2013, Vol 19, Issue

Abstract

The issue of impact of family policy financial instruments on demographic trends is of particular relevance in Ukraine, because some time has passed since the introduction of significant assistance at birth and there have been some positive changes in the population birth rate. Maternity grant at birth also significantly assists in overcoming income inequality. The contribution of maternity grants to the increased birth rate remains a debatable issue, since the effect of other objective birth rate factors cannot be ignored, in particular – the transformation of birth rate age model, the post-crisis compensational recovery and entry into active childbearing age of broad generations born in the 80s. In the last decade the childbirth intensity and the proportion of children of high birthorders in overall birth rate have increased in Ukraine. Positive trends in birth rates have reduced the depopulation and “sof- tened” the demographic crisis. The most significant growth in the total birth rate took place in the period between the introduction of significant maternity grant in 2005, and the financial crisis of 2008–2009. In the period from 2005 to 2008, the increase in the total birth rate occurred throughout the territory of Ukraine, including the areas where there was no previous birth rate increase. After 2008 birth rate has been increasing slowly, and only in few areas. The largest increase in the share of the second birth was observed in the most crisis regions, East, South and Center of Ukraine. Increase of the share the third and subsequent births was observed equally across the country, most noticeably, between 2008 and 2011. The results of surveys in 2008, 2009 and 2010 indicate that the share of the respondents who indicated the influence of material assistance on their childbearing plans are stably at 12–14%. Positive changes have occurred in the dynamics and structure of birth rate in the short term after the introduction and increase of maternity grants. How much have the changes in the calendar of births impacted the birth rate, and how will the intensification of family policy reflect on the birth rates of real generations – can be reliably determined only in the future, at full completion of childbearing activity of modern generations of young people.

Authors and Affiliations

B. O. Krimer

Keywords

EP ID EP287252
DOI 10.15407/dse2013.01.037
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