The Swedish Moderate Party suggests expanding tax deductions and improving preschool accessibility to encourage higher birth rates. Finance Minister Niklas Wykman highlights the need for modern family policies, including reforms to support working parents and students. The proposal also includes removing the multi-child allowance to better integrate families into the workforce.
Moderates Propose Expanded Tax Deductions to Boost Birth Rates in Sweden
Moderates Propose Expanded Tax Deductions to Boost Birth Rates in Sweden
More tax deductions and more accessible preschools are proposals that could encourage more people to have children in Sweden, according to the Moderate Party.
"It could involve help with pick-ups and drop-offs. Perhaps there is a need for transportation to leisure activities," says Finance Minister Niklas Wykman to SvD.
Birth rates are declining in Sweden, and the government has launched an investigation to find out why fewer people are having children today.
Ulf Kristersson has stated that a modern family policy needs to be developed, and within the Moderate Party, a working group has been established to develop the party's new economic policy.
The group, led by Finance Minister Niklas Wykman, will present reform proposals aimed at increasing birth rates, the minister tells SvD.
More Tax Deductions
More accessible preschools and expanded tax deductions are some of the proposals the group is considering. For example, Wykman envisions preschools near universities, which would simplify life for students with children, and tax deductions for more services.
"It could involve help with pick-ups and drop-offs. Perhaps there is a need for transportation to leisure activities. Services around home delivery are growing, and one can consider whether costs in such industries can be reduced," says Niklas Wykman to SvD.
Abolishing the Multi-Child Allowance
The group is also working on integrating families in social exclusion, and for this to happen, Wykman believes the multi-child allowance needs to be removed.
When asked if this is contradictory in this context, Wykman responds no.
"No, our assessment is that if you don't have a job and have come to Sweden, you should first get a job and then have children. You should not design economic incentives so that the easiest way to improve your economy is to have more children. That is not part of a sustainable demographic development," he says to SvD.