“if people really think there’s a birth rate problem”
Not sure how a “birthrate problem” is defined. Number of children?
“then maybe the government could try programs”
I’m from the government & I’m here to help. No thank you. Government incentives to induce a native population to reproduce more have not been successful.
Young Russians in the former USSR considered the state payment for more children insulting. Didn’t work in Hong Kong.
IMO various government programs, like rent controls that drive housing prices through the roof, are part of what creates conditions that aren’t economically favorable for couples wanting children. The only incentive to increase the population naturally gets a few on this Forum in an uproar, & that’s taking away abortion rights for all but those with life jeopardizing pregnancies.
Mother Theresa said it right. Paraphrasing her “A society that destroys its children isn’t one that will prosper.”