The Moderates (Moderaterne) party in Denmark is calling for action in response to the declining birth rate in the country, labeling it a significant societal challenge. Despite warnings from economists that a higher birth rate could be economically and environmentally problematic, the party emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue.

Chief Economist Carl-Johan Dalgaard has pointed out that an increase in the number of births could, in fact, make each individual Dane poorer. However, the party’s political spokesperson Monika Rubin insists that their concerns extend beyond pure economic perspectives. Rubin states that the party aims to prevent a drastic population reduction that could potentially leave Denmark with only two million inhabitants in the future. She highlights the need for more children to alleviate the pressure on families with children and to avoid creating a less happy society, as current statistics reportedly suggest.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the leader of the Moderates, goes even further by describing the declining birth rates as “the biggest crisis in our society.” He has repeatedly urged Danes to have more children.

Rubin acknowledges that a reduced number of children could lead to economic growth per capita and might potentially benefit the climate. However, she warns that the long-term consequences could lead to lower growth and reduced competitiveness, which may hinder companies’ ability to find the necessary workforce. She emphasizes that even if GDP per capita could increase, the overall societal picture would be negatively affected.

Economists have also argued that there should be enough workers to care for future seniors, even with lower birth rates. Rubin maintains that the issue is about more than just economics: “We do not want Denmark to count only two million people in a few generations,” she says.

At their summer group meeting, the Moderates also proposed a comprehensive family policy reform, discussing whether Danes could work less while raising small children. This proposal complements initiatives from other parties, such as the Socialist People’s Party (SF), which has suggested that families with young children should be allowed to stay home with sick children for up to five days.