America’s declining birthrate has become a vital issue in the 2024 election, with both parties offering policies to boost family growth and economic stability.

Table of Contents

In the thick of 2024’s already heated election season, a surprising new issue has emerged from behind the headlines—America’s dwindling birthrate.

Yes, the nation’s baby boom is becoming more of a baby bust, and everyone from politicians to tech billionaires is starting to notice.

From promises of tax breaks to “baby bonuses,” candidates are scrambling to fix what some call an existential crisis.

However, why is this such a big deal, and can America convince its citizens to start having more kids?

Let us dig into the debate, causing political platforms to pivot and social security analysts to lose sleep.

The Birthrate Crisis: Where Have All the Babies Gone?

First, the facts: America’s birthrate has hit a record low.

In 2023, the average woman is expected to have just 1.62 children in her lifetime.

For context, the magic number demographers love is 2.1—the number of kids each woman would need to have to keep the population stable without relying on immigration.

So, what does that mean for the future?

A smaller workforce, fewer taxpayers, and potentially severe trouble for programs like Social Security.

Enter the politicians, who—surprise, surprise—are trying to fix the problem with a range of (sometimes creative) solutions.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed everything from federal funding for in vitro fertilization (IVF) to tax deductions for newborn expenses.

He even talked about paying parents a “baby bonus” if they expand their families.

Republican VP candidate JD Vance has thrown out ideas like $5,000-per-child tax credits and has unapologetically called for Americans to focus on family building.

However, is all of this enough to turn things around? Moreover, will the voters even bite?

Tax Breaks, Baby Bonuses, and Birthrate Boosters

Politicians like Trump and Vance are not just talking about the birthrate because they are feeling sentimental about baby showers.

There is a severe economic angle here.

Fewer babies today mean fewer workers tomorrow.

Moreover, fewer workers mean less tax revenue, seriously jeopardizing social safety nets like Social Security and Medicare.

It is a numbers game—more babies now could mean fewer problems later.

The GOP is enthusiastically entering the pronatalist conversation and backing up its talk with policy proposals.

Trump’s campaign has hinted that the Child Tax Credit could see a “significant expansion” if he is re-elected.

Meanwhile, JD Vance’s $5,000-per-child tax credit is already drawing attention from young, conservative families.

As Vance says, “If you are not having children, your nation is finished.”

For these politicians, it is clear that the future is quite literally in the hands of America’s families.

Democrats’ Approach: Cutting Costs Without the Baby Push

On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are playing it more relaxed.

While Vice President Kamala Harris is not promising baby bonuses, she is focused on making life easier for parents.

Her Opportunity Economy plan includes a $6,000 tax credit for newborn parents. While it is not framed as a birthrate booster, it is still a way to ease the financial burden of raising kids.

The Democrats’ approach focuses on helping families with children rather than explicitly encouraging people to have more.

However, as America’s birthrate continues to decline, will that be enough to ease voters’ concerns about the future?

Can America Learn From Europe’s Baby Boom Attempts?

Interestingly, America is not the only country grappling with a birthrate crisis. Over in Europe, the issue has been front and center for years.

In Italy, where the birthrate has sunk to just 1.2 children per woman, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni added the word “Natality” to the Ministry of Family’s title to emphasize the importance of boosting the birthrate.

Meanwhile, Hungary has taken things further by exempting mothers with three or more children from income tax.

Even French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a new plan to raise his country’s birthrate earlier this year.

These countries are spending billions to encourage families to have more kids.

However, the question remains: Will these policies work?

Can America take a page from Europe’s playbook, or is the problem more cultural than political?

The Pronatalist Movement: A New Kind of Family Planning?

Enter the pronatalists—a growing movement made up of everyone from religious conservatives to tech titans like Elon Musk.

Their mission?

To make having more kids a personal choice and a national priority.

Musk has repeatedly warned of the dangers of declining birthrates and called the trend “the biggest danger civilization faces by far.”

However, while pronatalism is gaining steam in some circles, it is not without controversy.

Critics argue that it sometimes overlaps with more extreme right-wing ideologies, and there is concern that it could be used to promote discriminatory policies.

Malcolm Collins, one of the movement’s more prominent voices, has acknowledged the challenge of distancing pronatalism from its racist undertones.

Still, he is pushing forward with his goal of raising awareness about America’s birthrate problem.

Conclusion: The Future of Families in America

As the 2024 election heats up, America’s birthrate crisis will likely stay in the spotlight.

Whether it is Republicans offering baby bonuses or Democrats cutting costs for parents, both sides agree on one thing: the future of the country could very well depend on its youngest citizens—those that have not been born yet.

For now, the big question is whether these promises will sway voters.

Will Americans respond to the call to “Make More Babies,” or will they prioritize smaller families in an increasingly expensive world?

One thing is for sure—the debate is not going away anytime soon.

So, whether you are on team “baby bonus” or just here for the tax breaks, the next few months could have significant implications for America’s families—and its future.

Stay tuned because this is one race where everyone has a stake.