The Governor of Attica Nikos Hardalias referred in his speech at the conference “Low Birth Rate and Family: Composing Solutions for the Demographic Problem”, organized by the MEDIA2DAY group under the auspices of the Region of Attica, to the need to shape a coherent and long-term policy to address low birth rates, centered on supporting the modern family and creating suitable conditions for the new generation.
“The demographic issue is one of those matters that cannot be contained only in numbers and statistics,” Mr. Hardalias stressed, noting that the value of the conference lies in composing solutions and in bringing together all the forces that can contribute, namely the scientific community, the State, Local Government, the market and the families themselves.
The Governor underlined that in Greece the problem is particularly acute, with the decline in births, the aging of the population and unfavorable long-term forecasts making immediate mobilization necessary. He even mentioned that behind the statistics are young people who find it difficult to take the next step, couples who postpone starting a family and parents who try every day to combine family and professional life.
In this context, the Governor described the demographic issue as one of the greatest long-term challenges for the country, stressing that the response cannot be limited to fragmented interventions. “Intentions, willingness and analyses are no longer enough. What is needed is a plan. Continuity. Coordination,” he noted, adding emphatically: “It is an issue that we must address patriotically. And courage is needed in our decisions, measures and policies.”
As he stated, the demographic issue is directly linked to development, work, housing, education, health, care and overall to quality of life. “A young couple does not decide to start a family simply because there is a financial allowance,” he said, explaining that this decision presupposes a stable income, access to housing, modern care structures, safe schools and functional neighborhoods.
He made special reference to Attica, where, as he pointed out, different demographic trends and needs coexist: from areas of the center and Piraeus where aging is more intense, to areas of Eastern and Western Attica that continue to attract younger households. For this reason, he noted, the response to the demographic issue must also be linked to a new perception of regional development and daily life.
In this direction, he stressed that the Region is utilizing the European resources of the “Attica 2021–2027” Program to support the family, primarily by allocating approximately 336 million euros for 117,000 vouchers, which cover the inclusion of nearly 132,000 children in public and private preschool education structures, KDAP and KDAP for Persons with Disabilities. “The ability of every child to have equal access to education, care and creative activities is not for us merely an administrative obligation. It is a non-negotiable social value,” Mr. Hardalias underlined and added that the Region is also investing in infant and child care centers, new school units and the upgrading of educational infrastructure.
The Governor also linked social cohesion with economic security and employment, citing as an example the “Attiki On” program, through which 99.5 million euros are being made available to support 1,044 small and medium-sized enterprises. At the same time, he referred to the program of 352 projects and interventions in the 66 neighborhoods of Attica, noting that 58.81% of the projects have already been launched with a horizon of 2028. “Ultimately, these are all the things that can make Attica a place where a young person will want not only to work, but to stay, create and raise their family,” he noted.
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Hardalias pointed out the need for a coherent national strategy, with duration, continuity and measurable goals, while referring to the National Action Plan for the Demographic Issue and reiterating that “bolder decisions” are required, within the country’s fiscal capabilities, but with clear prioritization of the issue. As he noted, this national effort must include financial incentives for the birth of children, housing policies for young couples, strengthening care structures, support for the working mother, parental leave and interventions to address population imbalances.
“The battle against low birth rates will not be won with wishes, nor with willingness, nor with analyses. The time for action is now. With a plan. With cooperation. With consistency. And above all, with faith in the capabilities of our homeland, with faith in the new generation” Mr. Hardalias concluded.
Among those who addressed the event were the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Domna Michailidou, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eurobank Giorgos Zanias, the publisher and Director of the Media2Day group Giorgos Papanikolaou, among others.