Birth rate | Josefi Tiirola’s plans would change if the child received an incentive of tens of thousands of euros

27 years old Josefi Tiirola got excited when he heard about Väestöliitto’s idea about money incentive for women who have a child under the age of 30.

“The first thing I thought was that hopefully this would come into effect before I turn 30 myself,” says Tiirola.

However, the entry into force of the incentive is uncertain. An incentive of 10,000–30,000 euros was one of the proposals presented in the population policy report published on Thursday. It was prepared by a research professor Anna Rotkirch From the Population Association, commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

“In Finland, one could think that the birth of a first child before the age of 30 would entitle one to a 20 percent reduction in housing loans or a 25 percent reduction in student loans,” the report suggests.

The incentive would “definitely” affect Tiirola’s plans. He is currently studying for a master’s degree and at the same time has a temporary employment relationship. Student loans have accumulated, and the dream is to own an apartment. The money doesn’t seem to be enough for a child now.

“But if I could get the student loan cleared, it would bring a lot of financial mobility to the situation.”

Sodankyläinen Tiirola and her partner have discussed a lot about having a child and how they would cope with the child financially.

Saving for an apartment, a car and a child at the same time is now challenging for them.

Working life feels uncertain. Tiirola is worried about how having a child at this stage would affect future job opportunities and how the family would manage financially.

“I think motherhood is something you should be able to focus on, but these worries are pounding in the back of your head.”

The incentive paid to mothers would give Tiirola financial security in an otherwise uncertain situation.

“If, for example, repayment of the student loan was guaranteed after having a child, the risk of working life would be easier to accept.”

HS did on the subject survey to its readers. Many other respondents also said that the financial incentive would speed up plans for children. The identity of those quoted in the story is known to the editor.

“Stress from studies, living and working life affects the planning of having a child. Financial relief would bring partial help to that. The 30-year age limit would make you think about it at an earlier stage.” Female, 22, Järvenpää

“Student loan forgiveness would encourage people to get an education, but at the same time promise security for their dreams of having children. Now the situation is different: if you study, you have to work twice as hard for career development in order to pay off the loans. There is no extra time or money left for having a child.” Female, 25, Helsinki

All are not as enthusiastic about the proposal. For example, MPs Elisa Gebhardt (sd) and Pinja Päivälehto (s.d.) liked as unfair and discriminatory.

Some of the respondents to HS’s survey also consider the incentive to be an insufficient means.

“Nowadays, it is not known whether the studies even guarantee a job in line with the field. Then 10,000 euros won’t do much to support the family.” Woman, 22, Espoo

“Having a child is not about money, but about not finding a suitable partner. The news about the lack of resources in early childhood education, the cuts and the uncertainty of working life do not increase the desire to increase either.” Woman, 28, Tampere

Josefi Tiirola in addition to the financial incentive, hopes for an investment in social security services and a wider change in the attitude climate.

The collapse of the birth rate to a historically low level in Finland has caused a lot of concern. According to Tiirola, the discussion does not take into account how much financial uncertainty and stress young women have from working life.

However, he sees the proposed incentive as a positive sign of change.

“I got the feeling that maybe someone will finally listen to my age group.”