Sweden's PM puts IVF at centre of re-election bid amid record low birthrate

Sweden’s prime minister pledged to make IVF central to his re-election campaign as the country faces a record low birthrate. The government increased state-funded IVF attempts for first-time parents from three to six. He said that if his centre-right party retains power in September, additional IVF attempts would also be funded for people seeking more than one child. Sweden’s fertility rate fell to 1.42 last year, the lowest since records began in 1749. Under current rules, first-time parents receive six free rounds, while additional children are not funded and each attempt costs about 50,000 kronor. The promise to support siblings has drawn criticism about politicians intruding into private family decisions.

"Sweden's prime minister has promised to put IVF at the heart of his re-election campaign as he tries to win over female voters amid the country's record low birthrate. Ulf Kristersson's government recently increased the number of state-funded IVF attempts granted to aspiring first-time parents from three to six. Now he has said that if his party, the centre-right Moderates whose minority-run coalition depends on the support of the far-right Sweden Democrats hold on to power in September's general election, they will also fund IVF for additional children."

"It comes after official statistics showed this year that, despite often being cited as one of the best countries in the world to have children, Sweden's fertility rate sank to 1.42 last year, the lowest since 1749 when records started. It is a level we have never had in Sweden, Kristersson, who has three grownup children, said recently, speaking on his phone-in podcast. And that got me thinking. It could be because lots of people don't want to have children, but I am quite sure that it is also because quite a lot of people never get those children that they really would like to have."

"While under the new law those trying to have their first child are eligible for six rounds of free IVF, additional children are not funded, with a single attempt costing about 50,000 kronor (about 3,975). Promising to also fund attempts for those trying to have multiple children as an election promise, he said: There is nothing wrong with having one child, but a lot of people who have one child also want to have a sibling as well."

"While he said he was definitely not getting involved in how many children each family should have, adding that it is a really private thing, the debate has prompted some commentators to accuse politicians of trying to enter the bedroom. Ulf Kristersson has also promised funding for multiple runs of IVF. Photograph: Magnus Lejhall/AP But it is an issue the government is taking very seriously."

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