9 votes

To solve the problem of a dwindling population, one small Finnish municipality took a big step – pay its citizens to have babies

8 comments

  1. [7]
    mrbig
    Link
    Why not take immigrants and refugees?
    • Exemplary

    Why not take immigrants and refugees?

    10 votes
    1. [3]
      mrbig
      Link Parent
      I should notice that it is very possible that a municipality doesn't have the autonomy to define immigration laws. Regardless, it is a bizarre situation that could be easily solved by bringing...

      I should notice that it is very possible that a municipality doesn't have the autonomy to define immigration laws. Regardless, it is a bizarre situation that could be easily solved by bringing people from abroad. Especially the ones in need.

      8 votes
      1. [2]
        unknown user
        Link Parent
        Yeah—they could've just as easily subsidized living costs to new settlers rather than paying citizens to have children.

        Yeah—they could've just as easily subsidized living costs to new settlers rather than paying citizens to have children.

        5 votes
        1. [2]
          Comment deleted by author
          Link Parent
          1. unknown user
            Link Parent
            Good point—my comment was pretty reductive. At least if you're born there, you have some incentive to stay in the community in terms of attachment, and you're injecting new life into the town at...

            Good point—my comment was pretty reductive. At least if you're born there, you have some incentive to stay in the community in terms of attachment, and you're injecting new life into the town at the same time.

            You would'd be less likely to get that with immigrants, as the comment by @Spel points out.

            Thanks for making me reconsider my opinion.

            3 votes
    2. [3]
      JoylessAubergine
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Sweden tried something similar a few years ago with refugees. They refused to get off the coach that took them there (for days) because the village was too cold and isolated.

      Sweden tried something similar a few years ago with refugees. They refused to get off the coach that took them there (for days) because the village was too cold and isolated.

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        mycketforvirrad
        Link Parent
        Refugees refusing to leave bus in 'too cold' Swedish village to be removed – The Guardian.
        1 vote
        1. mrbig
          Link Parent
          Did they not know where they were going in advance? Anyway, those are just 14 people. Sweden took millions of refugees.

          The group refusing to get off the bus have complained about being in a forest dozens of kilometres from the nearest town,

          Did they not know where they were going in advance?

          Anyway, those are just 14 people. Sweden took millions of refugees.

          4 votes
  2. Eylrid
    Link
    It will be interesting to see in a few years when the first kids start aging out of this program how many families stay in that town.

    It will be interesting to see in a few years when the first kids start aging out of this program how many families stay in that town.

    7 votes