Demographic Situation
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-01-24 14:27
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debate focused on Estonia's demographic situation, initiated by Vadim Belobrovtsev (Centre Party), who cited data from Statistics Estonia regarding a record-low birth rate. Belobrovtsev highlighted that 10,721 children were born in Estonia in 2023, the smallest number since 1919, and emphasized that the continuity of the nation should be the government's highest priority. He demanded information regarding the government coalition's concrete plans for changing the situation.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform Party) acknowledged the demographic crisis, noting that it is a widespread problem in many European countries, caused by uncertain times (the COVID crisis, the war in Ukraine, the rising cost of living) and the smaller generation of the 90s reaching childbearing age. Kallas listed government measures focused on better reconciliation of work and family life, reducing the gender pay gap, preventing domestic violence, and implementing a needs-based support system, including the creation of a family mediation system and increasing maintenance support. Helle-Moonika Helme (EKRE) criticized Kallas's political U-turn, pointing out that parental benefits were previously praised as a demographic measure, but now support for large families is being reduced. Belobrovtsev presented a clarifying question, criticizing the government's decision to cut support for large families starting in 2024, end their indexation, and abolish tax benefits, asking how this would help resolve the critical demographic situation. Kallas responded that the state must spend taxpayer money reasonably and focus on needs-based aid, stressing that support has nevertheless increased compared to 2022. She highlighted that the greatest risk of poverty is among single-parent families, not large families, thereby justifying the strengthening of the maintenance support system.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Vadim Belobrovtsev (on the left) posed two critical and detailed questions, emphasizing the government's inaction and recent benefit cuts in the context of historically low birth rates, and linking the issue to the preamble of the Estonian Constitution.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev asks Prime Minister Kaja Kallas about the demographic situation.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev stated that the demographic situation in Estonia is alarming: in 2023, the numbers of births, deaths, and immigrants have fallen, while the number of emigrants has grown, and he asked what the governing coalition plans to do for the sake of the nation's long-term survival.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasized that the demographic situation and the declining birth rate constitute a major crisis, and to solve it, support mechanisms will be reviewed. Focus will be placed on better combining work and family life, reducing the gender pay gap, strengthening families and reducing violence, implementing needs-based support and family mediation, and increasing maintenance support for parents who are raising a child alone, so that the future is more secure and more children are born.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concludes his speech, offers his thanks, asks for any additional questions, and invites Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asks the Prime Minister how the demographic policy established by the Reform Party a couple of years ago concerning parental benefits, coupled with today's cuts to family benefits, has brought about a change of heart, and whether the demographic situation has improved, or if their views on 'birthing machines' and 'lemonade dispensers' have changed.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the parental benefit was an idea championed by the Reform Party and has proven demographically beneficial, but that we must move forward to better reconcile work and family life, ensuring both mothers and fathers have a better opportunity to care for their children. She added that the government and the Ministry of Social Affairs should analyze how support mechanisms are functioning in order to reach those who need assistance and boost the birth rate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked Vadim Belobrovtsev to ask a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She criticizes the government's demographic decisions, which result in 200 euros per month being taken from large families, the termination of indexing, the elimination of child-related tax benefits and support for hobby education. He/She further claims that these steps will neither help the difficult demographic situation nor increase families' desire to have children.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that the country cannot be built solely by the state itself, and while parents are raising children, support and maintenance assistance have simultaneously increased compared to 2022, and are primarily directed at those in need, especially single-parent families, in order to reduce poverty.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman concludes the consideration of the third item today.