Older people consume a disproportionate share of medical and other costly public services. Labor force shortages also may develop. If population declines rapidly, severe social and economic problems can result. The rate of decline is extremely slow, but many European leaders fear that their falling populations eventually will threaten their economies, their defense systems, and even their national identities. Some European governments have tried various economic incentives to encourage couples to have more children.
Some couples receive housing or other benefits if they have children.
Women can receive a percentage of their salaries while they are on maternity leave and are guaranteed a job when they return. But these financial incentives are expensive and they have not boosted birth rates enough to ward off population decline. Massive immigration is not an acceptable solution to population decline in most countries either. Virtually all European countries have imposed strict controls against immigration, and some have encouraged immigrants to leave. Long-term population decline appears inevitable for most of Europe, but it will occur very slowly.