Catastrophic demographic situation
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 6th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2025-09-24 16:39
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 18
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 18/18 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today’s eighth question addressed Estonia's catastrophic demographic situation. Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev highlighted alarming statistics: in 2024, the birth rate in Estonia fell below the 10,000 child threshold for the first time in history (9,646 children), while deaths totaled 15,756. Belobrovtsev criticized the government's inaction and the lack of security felt by families, which he attributed to unstable family policy—citing, for example, the initial increase and subsequent cutting of benefits for large families. He demanded the government take concrete steps to boost confidence. Prime Minister Kristen Michal acknowledged the low birth rate issue but stressed that it is a widespread European trend. He referred to a comprehensive analysis of parental benefits and family allowances prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs, whose proposals are currently being processed. Michal emphasized that Estonia is among the European leaders in family support, spending about 2.2% of GDP (approximately 1 billion euros) on this sector. He cited examples from other countries (Poland, Germany) to illustrate that financial support alone does not guarantee higher birth rates. He listed measures that support fertility, including more flexible working conditions, the childcare system, and improved access to fertility treatment. The PM deemed investments in national defense and economic growth crucial for building confidence. In a follow-up question, Lauri Laats questioned the effectiveness of the existing measures and demanded specific solutions, particularly regarding making housing more affordable for young families. The Prime Minister confirmed that the government is working to reduce bureaucracy to lower housing costs and is considering the use of the pension pillar as collateral for an apartment.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Vadim Belobrovtsev was an active questioner, posing both the main question and a clarifying follow-up, while sharply criticizing the government's demographic policy and the lack of security felt by families. (misc.)
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announces that he is moving on to the eighth question, the topic of which is the catastrophic demographic situation, and which Prime Minister Kristen Michal is presenting to Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar introduced the eighth item on the agenda, under which Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev will submit an interpellation to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding Estonia's catastrophic demographic situation.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev is warning about the catastrophic demographic situation in Estonia, noting that in 2024 a record low of under 10,000 children were born (9,646), while the number of deaths reached 15,756. He adds that although a population policy commission was established, nothing significant has changed, and without concrete action, major problems await us in the near future.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev drew the Prime Minister's attention to Estonia's catastrophic demographic situation, pointing out that the birth rate has dropped to a historically low level (below 10,000 children per year), while the mortality rate significantly exceeds it. He also criticized the inaction of the population policy commission, which was established in 2021, demanding quick and effective measures to rectify the situation.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal acknowledged that the low birth rate is a broader European problem, to mitigate which a comprehensive analysis of family benefits has been carried out in Estonia. He emphasized that although Estonia’s spending on families (2.2% of GDP) is among the highest in Europe, international examples show that financial measures alone do not guarantee an increase in the birth rate.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal acknowledged that the low birth rate is a concern, referencing the Ministry of Social Affairs’ comprehensive analysis of parental benefits and family allowances and its findings. He stated that Estonia spends approximately 2.2% of its GDP on children and families (roughly 1 billion euros), but emphasized that the sheer amount of funding does not guarantee an increase in the birth rate. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the broader context and act in light of uncertainty and global trends, such as the war in Ukraine.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked everyone and invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to ask a clarifying question.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev emphasizes that Estonia must resolve the issues affecting its families’ sense of security, and asks what concrete steps, implementable in the near future, would improve the situation of families, arguing that the uncertainty stems from government decisions and the changing of promises, not solely from the general situation in Europe.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev rejects the consolation that the low birth rate is merely a Europe-wide problem, emphasizing that it is far more critical for Estonia, a country of just 1.3 million inhabitants. He criticizes the government's unstable family benefits policy as the primary cause for the lack of security and demands concrete, realistic steps to improve the situation for families, rather than just simple tax cuts.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal provided an overview of the sectors supporting the birth rate, ranging from societal security and welfare to the reconciliation of work and family life. She stressed that Estonia is already a European leader in terms of financial support directed at families, and is also actively investing in flexible working conditions, parental support, and healthcare, promising to enhance the nation’s sense of security in the future through defense investments and economic growth.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that Estonia provides significant financial support to aid childbirth, and additionally offers services that facilitate the compatibility of family and work life, parenting programs, and healthcare investments that reduce inequality and increase well-being. Although a car tax benefit was not discussed, resources will be directed toward ensuring defense and economic growth, which will lead to good years for Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the member and announced that the supplementary question would be asked by colleague Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats claims that the current measures are ineffective, and that people's sense of security and social safety are lacking. He calls for the involvement of a working group or the Ministry of Social Affairs to develop subsequent measures, based on analyses of the demographic situation, aimed at boosting the birth rate—for instance, providing housing incentives for young families.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the ineffectiveness of the measures listed by the Prime Minister, emphasizing that they have failed to improve the public's sense of security. He points out that this insecurity stems primarily from social instability and livelihood problems, not just the security aspect. Regarding the continuing decline in the birth rate, he demands to know whether the government has convened a working group to find new solutions and whether the Prime Minister has reviewed the demographic analysis prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs. This analysis includes concrete proposals, such as making housing more affordable for young families, and he wants to know if the PM has started implementing them.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that, according to the coalition agreement, bureaucracy will be reduced and housing accessibility for young people will be improved, including the possibility of using support as collateral when purchasing an apartment. Furthermore, by abolishing the progressive income tax and preventing any income tax increase, family incomes will be boosted, and Estonia's security and economic resilience will be strengthened.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirms that the government is addressing the proposals put forward in the Ministry of Social Affairs' analysis. The focus is on resolving housing issues for young people by cutting bureaucracy and allowing the use of the pension pillar as collateral. Furthermore, he stresses the critical nature of security and defense investments, ensuring young families feel safe in Estonia. He also promises economic stability by abolishing the progressive income tax and preventing any income tax hikes, thereby guaranteeing a better future for the youth.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that there were no further questions during the information session, thanked the members of the government and his colleagues for their active participation, and announced that they would meet at 2 PM for the Riigikogu plenary session.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar concluded today's information hour, noting that there was no more time for questions. He thanked the members of the government and his colleagues for their active participation and invited everyone to convene for the Riigikogu plenary session starting exactly at 2 p.m.