Birth Rate Crisis: Sweden Offers More Free IVF in Election Bid

Faced with the sharpest drop in births in nearly three centuries, Sweden's leadership is turning to fertility treatment as a key election issue. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has pledged to extend state-funded IVF support to families seeking a second child if his Moderate Party remains in government after September's vote. The announcement follows the government's decision to double the number of free IVF cycles available to first-time parents from three to six. Each attempt costs roughly 50,000 Swedish kronor. Kristersson highlighted that while some people choose not to have children, many others are prevented from doing so by high treatment costs. Sweden's fertility rate has now slipped to 1.42, a level unseen since record-keeping began in 1749. The prime minister described the trend as alarming and said it had prompted serious reflection within his administration. He stressed that family planning remains a private matter but argued that financial assistance should not be the deciding factor for couples wanting siblings for their first child. Alongside the IVF expansion, the government has launched a comprehensive study into measures that could help reverse the population decline. The initiative mirrors similar research underway in Norway and comes with stark warnings about future workforce shortages and the sustainability of Sweden's generous welfare model. The proposal is designed to appeal to voters concerned about both personal family aspirations and the country's long-term demographic health, forming part of the Moderate Party's broader re-election strategy.