Poland wants bigger families

Sławek Szefs reports that the government program, launched as of 1 April, is to serve not only as a new social benefit scheme but primarily as an incentive to help Poland’s aging society overcome a looming demographic crisis.

"It's good that such a program has been initiated as it will safeguard many families from experiencing truly extreme poverty and will also assist them in providing better conditions for bringing up their children,” Józefina Hrynkiewicz, president of the Government Council for Population, an advisory body to the prime minister, told Polish Radio.

Demographic projections have indicated that the 500 Plus program should help increase Poland's population by a much needed 1.7 million by the year 2050.