The problem of low fertility in Cyprus is growing, with the consequences of being chained in all sectors and having an impact on both society and the economy.
Of course, the low birth rate is not only a Cypriot issue, since, according to studies by statistical services, almost 1/5 of the total population of the 27 member states is over 65 years of age. The low birth rate and higher life expectancy compared to previous generations has the effect of a European Union with an increasingly aging population.
The issue is becoming more and more visible over the years and is climbing into the upper echelons of politics. agenda for both the economic and social problems that will arise.
Competent bodies in Cyprus prioritized the fight against the phenomenon by implementing action plans, with the issue raised several times in the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee for the Study of the Demographic Problem, sounding the alarm about the problems it can cause.
The gradual decrease in births in Cyprus is not accidental, nor unnecessary, since it is inextricably linked to the national and socio-economic development of the last decades.
Perceptible decrease in births in 2022
According to data from the Ministry of the Interior for the births of 2022 there is a noticeable decrease, with the situation being alarming.
Based on the data provided by "Simerini", in 2012 Cyprus had a total of 10,921 births, out of of which 8,702 had Cypriot citizenship, while the remaining 2,219 had another citizenship.
In 2021 there were a total of 10,848 births, of which 8,175 had Cypriot citizenship, while the remaining 2,673 had another citizenship.
Based on the data of the Ministry of the Interior, until September 2022 there were 4,185 births with Cypriot citizenship and 1,479 foreigners.
In conclusion, from the data of the last decade on births in Cyprus it is observed that since 2017 there has been a downward trend.
Action Plan for Underfertility
The competent agencies, in order to help reduce the problem, have created an action plan to combat subfertility.
Although the actions that have been taken show the intention to resolve the issue, it seems that for now they have not yielded the expected "fruits".
The first plan from the Ministry of Social Welfare's side concerns the Subsidy Tuition and Feeding of Children up to 4 years of age, and provides for the subsidization of part of the monthly cost of schooling for children up to 4 years of age.
Beneficiaries are families with children up to the age of four who receive Child Benefit, and the scheme came into effect in September 2022. The amount of the subsidy amounts to 80% of the monthly allowance, with a maximum amount ranging from €100 to and €350 for each child.
The second plan concerns the creation of at least 27 Multipurpose Centers for Children and Child Care Centers and accommodation structures for children, adolescents with behavioral disorders and adults with long-term care needs. The total investment amounts to 23 million 725 thousand euros and the beneficiaries are Non-Governmental Organizations and Local Authorities.
Another measure to deal with the problem of low birth rates concerns the strengthening of infrastructure in mountainous areas, with the operation of a childcare center in Kalopanagiotis for the last two years, the creation of a childcare center in the Community of Pachnas, which is in the final stage of completion, as well as the concession of &euro ;140,000 for the development of a corresponding project in the community of Trimiklini.
For its part, the Ministry of Health is strengthening the effort to combat subfertility through a subsidy plan to deal with infertility.
Speaking to "Simerini" Karolina Stylianou, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health for the Infertility Treatment Plan, stated that there is a subsidy plan for couples or individuals who resort to such procedures, which is constantly being developed following scientific developments as well as the new methods applied.
He noted that the specific plan has a response. "It has been around for many years, but it has been revised at several regular intervals with an increase in the amount and various other things".
This particular plan was revised and further improved in 2021 to further help address the problem. expanding the categories of people eligible for subsidies, but also improving the plan with benefits such as the subsidy of the natural treatment cycle for the entire IVF process from €500 to €1500.
