Demographic situation
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-01-22 15:31
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The topic of the eighth question presented concerned Estonian demography and the decline in population. Statistics Estonia’s data showed that last year, 9,646 people were born in Estonia and 15,596 people died, resulting in a decrease in population by 5,950 people, and migration can no longer fully compensate for this. For the opposition, it was clear that the situation is critical and requires a specific and rapid strategy, not merely theoretical discussion. The aim of the question was to determine whether the government shares the same concern and what steps are planned to improve the demographic situation.
The Minister responded, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of addressing demography as an important yet complex issue: financial support alone will not automatically increase births; a broader societal well-being, a sense of security, and better services, as well as a fit for working families' models are needed. He stressed the need for international and national cooperation between ministries and noted that ongoing initiatives require consistent analysis and practical steps, not just increased attention to increasing tax revenues.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made: the discussion did not lead to the formalization or approval of specific new measures, nor was there agreement on a single political decision.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was pid="uexmw3AlP24" (a minister from the Supreme Court/government). His involvement was in two main parts of the dialogue: the minister's initial response and the subsequent clarifying response. Political position: a member of a right- or center-right government, (in the role of a government minister).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We have reached the eighth question, posed by a good colleague Vadim Belobrovtsev to Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev acknowledged that Estonia's population is shrinking due to a demographic crisis: the birth rate is low, the number of deaths is high, and migration does not compensate, and he asked what the government and the opposition plan to do to stop it.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that demography is very important and that a decline in birth rates cannot be solved by simple remedies or even generous child allowances; instead, the state can alleviate the problem by increasing society's well-being and security and by improving the reconciliation of work and family life and the accessibility of services, including medical care and infrastructure.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Vadim Belobrovtsev to pose a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev acknowledged that Estonia's demographic situation is very complex, and although representatives of all factions discussed solutions through a panel, there is no unified agreement, while the government's tax changes and cuts to support for large families may not improve birth rates, and the commission on demographic problems, which has been operating for over a year, has produced very little, so something more than a single commission may be required.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that to solve the demographic problem, broad cooperation and a wide range of measures are needed, from family benefits and improvements in healthcare to shaping housing and a vision for the future, and that extra money alone won't bring more children — what matters is a sense of security and the implementation of the best ideas.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Vladimir Arhipov to pose one more supplementary question.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker asked whether tax cuts would not create a lasting problem, and whether the government has a written strategy to improve the situation.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The government emphasizes that there are many different activities, and the introduction of parental allowance and artificial insemination has proven successful, and it plans to continue building a sense of security for young people and to discuss increasing defense spending, but there is no single, unified solution, and good proposals are awaited.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience and informs that he will conclude the consideration of the eighth question.