The findings of the mission are clear: the desire for children remains strong in France, but it faces increasing obstacles. The gap between planning and taking action is mainly due to financial constraints (39%). Next come job insecurity or unemployment (21%), housing difficulties (19%), worries about the political or social situation (14%), and finally infertility or difficulties in conceiving (12%).
For the rapporteur Jérémie Patrier-Leitus (Horizons), the aim is to help the French fulfill their desire for children by directly addressing these barriers.
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A strong childhood desire, but hindered
The flagship measure is the creation of a « unique family allowance » of 250 euros per month per child, with no income conditions, from the first child until they turn 20.
This support would merge about ten existing schemes for greater clarity, with an estimated additional cost of between 5 and 10 billion euros. It's a way to particularly support the middle class, « those for whom the financial burden is highest », emphasizes Constance de Pélichy (UDI), president of the mission.
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Housing: “If you don’t have a room, you don’t have a baby”
Among the identified obstacles, housing plays a central role. “For young couples, the average size of a home is 18 square meters, smaller than what earlier generations experienced. 18 square meters is a large room or two bedrooms. And it’s easy to see that without a room dedicated to a child, it’s tough to realize a family project,” points out Constance de Pélichy.
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While 50% of 20-29 year olds still live at home with their parents and real estate prices have doubled in twenty years, the plan offers a « zero-interest family loan » of up to 100,000 euros, available right from the pregnancy announcement.
The report also recommends a unified parental leave of twelve months, paid proportionally to salary, to minimize income loss, as well as opening caregiver leave to grandparents. There are also suggestions for absences to attend key school moments. The idea is to reduce professional penalties and better share family responsibilities.
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A society with fewer "no kids"?
Beyond the economy, the mission highlights a cultural shift. On social media, women are increasingly sharing their stories about choosing not to have children. “This is the real novelty: women today are bold enough to claim that they don't want kids,” notes Constance de Pélichy.
Puisque ça fait débat :
— Mano ⚘️ (@Manonolita14) July 10, 2022
Je ne veux pas d'enfants non plus.
Que vous le vouliez ou non ça change complètement une vie et tout le monde n'est pas fait pour en avoir.
De plus, avoir des enfants n'est pas le but d'une vie et ça ne contribue pas à notre bonheur.
In this context, the presence of children in public spaces becomes a symbol. Following the controversy over a SNCF offer perceived as excluding the youngest, the mission recommends making child-friendly spaces in trains mandatory. « We can’t be alarmed by the decline in births and then not accommodate them », insists the deputy.
Now it remains to be seen what will come of these proposals. The report does not bind the government. Some measures could be implemented by 2027, while others might belong to a future presidential project. In this sensitive area, demographics will require a long-term approach, well beyond a single presidential term.