Italy to double benefit to combat low birth rate

Italy’s health minister has outlined plans to double child benefit to combat what she described as an “apocalyptic” decline in the country’s birth rate. Beatrice Lorenzin said the monthly bonus for lower income families should be twice the current €80 (£60; $90). Ms Lorenzin also called for higher payments for second and subsequent children to […]

Italy’s health minister has outlined plans to double child benefit to combat what she described as an “apocalyptic” decline in the country’s birth rate. Beatrice Lorenzin said the monthly bonus for lower income families should be twice the current €80 (£60; $90). Ms Lorenzin also called for higher payments for second and subsequent children to encourage big families. Speaking to Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper, Ms Lorenzin said: “If we carry on as we are and fail to reverse the trend, there will be fewer than 350,000 births a year in 10 years’ time, 40% less than in 2010 – an apocalypse.”