Andrej Babiš proposes financial incentives to boost Czech birth rates

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has proposed several measures to combat the country's declining birth rate. In a weekly summary video, Babiš suggested providing a one-million-koruna reward for the birth of a second child and lifelong tax relief for families with a third child. He also mentioned support for student parents and potential improvements to nursery and childcare services.

Babiš attributed the demographic stagnation to several factors, including weak population cohorts, shifting social priorities, delayed parenthood, and the lack of affordable housing. He noted that housing accessibility is a significant issue and criticized high mortgage costs.

According to the Czech Statistical Office, the number of live births in 2025 reached a historical low of 77,600, with the fertility rate dropping for the fourth consecutive year to an average of 1.28 children per woman. The average age of mothers at the birth of their first child rose to nearly 29.2 years.