By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka’s declining birth rate has once again emerged as a national policy concern, with opposition member of parliament (MP) Ajith P. Perera calling for a comprehensive package of family-friendly measures aimed at encouraging couples to have more children.
Speaking in Parliament, Perera argued that the country’s demographic trajectory is no longer a distant concern but an issue already affecting key sectors, from education to the labour market. He warned that if current trends continue, Sri Lanka could face a severe shortage of young people needed to sustain its economy and support an ageing population.
“The country needs to recognise that this is a very serious problem,” Perera said, urging policymakers to treat declining fertility as a long-term national priority rather than simply a social issue.
Demographic warning signs
According to Perera, the effects of lower birth rates are already becoming visible. Schools and universities are experiencing declining student enrolments, a trend that could eventually ripple through the workforce, reducing the number of economically active citizens available to support public services, businesses, and the broader economy.
His concerns reflect broader demographic changes seen across many middle-income countries, where populations are ageing as fertility rates decline and life expectancy increases.
Why fewer children?
Perera attributed Sri Lanka’s falling birth rate to a combination of economic and social factors.
Among them are rising ages at marriage, declining marriage rates, increasing divorces, and the high cost of living that makes raising children increasingly expensive for many families.
He also pointed to economic uncertainty, changing social attitudes toward parenthood, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the continued migration of young people overseas as major contributors to the decline.
Together, these factors have led many couples to delay having children or decide against parenthood altogether.
A package of family-friendly policies
To reverse the trend, Perera proposed a range of measures designed to reduce the financial burden of raising children while making parenthood more compatible with modern working life.
Central to his proposal is the expansion of maternity, paternity, and parental leave, arguing that both mothers and fathers should receive adequate time away from work following the birth of a child. He said families require stronger institutional support during the early stages of child-rearing.
Beyond workplace benefits, Perera suggested introducing tax concessions or reduced income taxes for families with children, financial assistance at childbirth for eligible families, concessionary housing loans with lower interest rates for larger families, and government initiatives to reduce the cost of childcare and early childhood development services.
Learning from other countries
Perera noted that several countries facing demographic decline have introduced similar incentives in an effort to encourage higher birth rates. While the success of such policies has varied internationally, he argued that Sri Lanka cannot afford to ignore the issue.
“Having more children should be valued, promoted, rewarded, and made into something to be appreciated,” he told Parliament.
A broader national conversation
The proposals are likely to fuel wider debate over how Sri Lanka should respond to its changing population profile. While financial incentives and family-friendly workplace policies are often viewed as important tools, experts generally note that demographic trends are influenced by a complex mix of economic security, housing affordability, childcare availability, employment opportunities, gender equality, and confidence in the future.
As Sri Lanka continues its economic recovery while grappling with an ageing population and outward migration, the discussion over how to support families – and whether policy can meaningfully influence birth rates – is expected to become an increasingly important part of the country’s long-term development agenda.
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