Pronatalist Policy Search of Turkey

Yusuf Yüksel

Head of Social Inclusion Department at Ministry of Development of TurkeyVisiting Scholar at OXCIS

Pronatalist Policy Search of Turkey

• Aim • Demographic Transition of Turkey• Past Trends of Population Policy• European Models/Paths• Critique of Current Law Proposal for a

Pronatalist Policy

Aim• After 2000, fertility rates and future of

population have been discussed and questioned by scholars and policy makers.

• In 2005 for the first time in nation’s history age population of primary school has been declined and after 2010 total fertility rate has decreased below replacement level.

• A Law proposal is formed in order to stop/reverse trends in fertility.

Demographic Transition of Turkey• Total Population 1927-2013 (.000)

Demographic Transition of Turkey• Total Fertility Rate 1923-2013

Demographic Transition of Turkey• Share of Age Groups in Total Population (%)

Population Prospects• Total Population

Population Prospects

• Total Fertility Rate 2013: 1.99• 2010 National Population Projection

Estimation for 2023: 1.85Estimation for 2050: 1.65

• 10. Development Plan 2018 Target: 2,20

Population Prospects • Share of Age Groups (2013-2050)

Population Policy 1923-2013• 1923-1960: Post-War Pranatalist Period. Public

campaigns, awards, tax exempts, abortion restrictions

• 1960-2000: Antinatalist Period. Investment in reproductive health, free contraceptive, legal abortions, public campaigns

• 2000-2013: No clear population policy rhetoric. Quality Matters.

• After 2013: Rebirth of pronatalist expectations!

European Trends• Below 1.5 Total Fertility Rate, constant and

sharp declines• East Europe: Volatile and fragile economy, weak

public support, weak family ties.• German Speaking Countries: Conservative

welfare regimes.• South European Countries: Traditional family

structure, weak welfare state, weak institutional childcare, low cohabitation and out of marriage births.

European Trends• 1.7-1.9 Total Fertility Rate:• North-Western Countries• Smooth decline, stabilising TFR, little upward

trends• Strong welfare state• High levels of cohabitation and out of marriage

births, atomized households• High female labour force participation rates and

institutional childcare• Institutional trust

How About Turkey ?• Low Female Labour Force Participation: % 30• Increasing education levels• Traditional Family Structure• Gender Based Division of Labour (time use)• Immature welfare state• Institutional childcare less than 2 %• Does being muslim change the picture?

Bosnia ?, Iran ?! Optimistic TFR estimations !

Pronatalist Law Proposal • No mention to migration• Direct population policy measures• Little reference to strengthening welfare state• No clear indication of coercive methods but

some political debates on abortion• Materail Benefit oriented approach

Cash Benefits• Cash benefits for young couples if they marry

at the ages of 18-25-Potential effect is limited

• Increase child allowances of salaries. Cash support to third child

- Lack of institutional trust for long term behaviour

• Support working women by tax exempts- Ethical questions on state-citizen relations

Unsuccesful Experience: Russia and East Europe

Childcare• Workplaces over 200 workers must have creche/childcare

facilities. - Corresponds to 2 % of work force !

• Tax exempts for workplaces if they have creches- Positive but limited

• Change strict rules for set up private childcare- One of the major problems for private sector

• Modest increase in maternal leave, no paternal leave- From 16 weeks to 18 weeks, part-time work for following two

months• Family Support Centres in Neighborhoods

- Positive but unclear for now.

Succesfull Model: Scandinavian Countries

Rhetoric of Policy

• Current rhetoric is centred around the concept of development

- People are reflexive against personal matters

• Reference to gap between actual TFR and desired number of children- Setting the matter as a capability problem and welfare gap is positive but desired number of children is a questionnable concept

Unsucessful experience: Singapore

Conclusion • Long term vision versus “too long term” vision

From demographic window of opportunity to demographic burden !

Acute problem: EDUCATION NEET rate for 15-24 year is 34 % PISA rank 31. country among OECD countries HDI education Index 112. country Female Labour Force Participation Rate: 30 % Rural Population: 30 %

Conclusion • Expectations of policy makers should be

modest and patient

Persistent effect is possible only in the long Current law proposal may have tempo effect, little potential

in the long run Quality of education should be increased Institutional trust should be ensured through generous

welfare policies

Conclusion • Gender balance and equality of opportunity

Maternal leave minimum 12 months Paternal leave should be increased Institutional child care should be available at all

neighbourhoods More research and data are needed Cultural factors should not be ignored in policy making

procedures

Thank You...

yukselyu@yahoo.comyusuf.yuksel@kalkinma.gov.tr