The Hungarian government has launched a national consultation to gauge Hungarians’ views on family policy.
The Hungarian government is introducing new family policies to try and combat population decline. Some eight million homes will be issued with a questionnaire by post in the coming days, with an online version soon to be made available.
The campaign is led by Katalin Novák, Minister of State for Family, Youth and International Affairs.
Recipients are encouraged to complete the questionnaire as the government says:
“Now we have the opportunity to support Hungarian families with further measures. Let’s decide on the future together!”
Hungarian Today reported that the government believes increased support for families raising children and incentives for people to have kids are necessary measures to manage the “significant problem” of population decrease in Hungary and across Europe. It contrasts its aims with those of “bureaucrats in Brussels” who “want to introduce a permanent mechanism for immigration” to deal with the issue.
This latter statement has caused significant controversy.
Some of the questions on the survey include the following:
- Do you agree that the population decrease must be tackled not by immigration, but by more support for families?
- Do you agree that more support should be given to families with more children?
- Do you support that the institution of full-time motherhood should be recognized by the government?
- Do you agree that the government should support the employment of women raising children?
- Do you agree with the principle that a child has the right to a mother and father?
This is not the first occasion that the government has pursued this kind of strategy.
The total cost of the campaign is dependent on the number of people who fill out the forms and people have until 21 December to submit their responses.
Hungary currently spends five percent of its GDP on family support schemes—the highest proportion in Europe.
Further measures are expected following the results of the survey.
