Macedonia is grappling with a serious fertility recession that has persisted for over a decade, necessitating urgent action and a shift in societal attitudes. VMRO-DPMNE MP Beti Stamenkoska Trajkoska has warned of alarming demographic trends and emphasized the need for immediate steps to address the declining birth rate.

Proposed government measures to combat the fertility crisis include providing six free in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, offering incentives for the birth of first and second children, and implementing tax breaks for mothers. These initiatives aim to alleviate the financial burden on families and encourage them to have more children.

Stamenkoska-Trajkoska elaborated on the tax break proposal, stating that mothers would be exempt from personal income tax for one year for their first child, two years for their second child, and every year until the first child reaches adulthood for their third and subsequent children.

Official data reveals a significant decline in the number of newborns, from 23,000 in 2016 to 16,737 in 2024 – a decrease of over 9,000 in just eight years. In 2024, deaths exceeded births by 3,500, with 16,737 births and 20,187 deaths, highlighting the severity of the demographic imbalance.

The fertility rate in Macedonia has plummeted from 5.7 in 1950 to 1.5 today, which is four times lower. A fertility rate of at least 2.1 is required to maintain natural population growth.

Stamenkoska Trajkoska underscored that politicians and institutions have a responsibility to foster public discussion and support all endeavors aimed at boosting the birth rate.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has dismissed the possibility of imposing a tax on unmarried men and women, a concept previously mentioned as a potential consideration, and stated that the intention was to stimulate public discourse.