25 November 2003 22:04
Estonian population minister plans to double country`s birth rate
Estonian Population Minister Paul-Eerik Rummo presented a development plan on demography last week, the aim of which
is to double the number of births, prolong average life expectancy and establish a balanced population structure in
terms of gender and age across Estonia. No fixed deadlines are set in the development plan and the costs of implementing
the plan are also unknown.
Rummo's priorities differ completely from those of his predecessors. While the former population ministers spent
most of their energy on the [Russian speakers'] integration issue, Rummo has made improvements to Estonia's
demographic situation and an increased birth rate his primary concern.
The aim of the development plan on demography drafted in the population minister's office is to double the
number of births. According to the development plan, children's day care opportunities must be improved and the
system of family and child benefits reformed to achieve this aim. Rummo said that the problem with the present benefit
system was that the benefits did not reach the people in need.
Katrin Saks, a former population minister and present member of the Moderates Party parliamentary faction, said,
however, that reforming the scheme of child benefits was unjustified. "We have a universal family benefit system
that values each child, whereas the development plan shows signs of the Anglo-American system of giving aid to the
poor," Saks noted.
In addition to changing the system of child benefits, the development plan also considers it necessary to develop
children's day care system. Rummo plans to meet employers' organizations soon to discuss how the state could
motivate employers to open more children's play areas in offices.
The development plan drafted by the population minister's office also recommends the drafting of a new model for
state pensions based on the number of children. This means, according to Rummo, that people with more children would
receive more money from the first pension pillar [state pension] in the future.
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