Tehran – The first National Youth Population Award is scheduled to take place on November 15th, highlighting the vital role of neighbours and mosques in removing childbirth barriers to cities and dealing with family issues.
Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi, secretary of the National Population Headquarters, invited all relevant groups to participate in the event.
Officials said the performance of related organizations will be assessed based on two key criteria, including legal and internal obligations.
Legal obligations include those outlined in the Youth Population Act, such as the Ministry of Health’s measures in promoting natural childbirth, the provision of health and nutrition packages, or measures taken by the Ministry of Welfare and Education.
Internal obligations focus on how organizations have supported marriage, birth, parental leave or teleworking staff, she explained.
Part of the festival is dedicated to choosing the best ideas, photos and films presented with a focus on family and childbirth, Vahid-Dastjerdi said.
Youth Population Law
The enactment of the Youth Population Act has stabilized total fertility rates and has seen a slight increase in the general fertility index over the past two years. After experiencing a seven-year decline of about 20%, the birth rate remains stable at around 1.6.
The total fertility rate reached a downward trend from 1402 (2023-2024) in 1394 (2023-2024), leading to a downward trend from 1402 to 1401 to 1401 (March 2022-2023) in 1394 (2015-2016), resulting in a sudden decline in total fertility rate.
However, it is increasing concerns about the declining trend in population growth over the next few years and the possibility of turning Iran into one of the oldest countries in the world, Irib cited Mohammad-Javad Mahmoudi, an employee of a civil registered organisation.
“At best, Iran’s population with a total fertility rate of 2.5 will reach 102,890,000 over the next seven years,” Mahmudi said.
A key factor that contributes to a country’s lower birth rate is the cost of living. In fact, many families have chosen to have a smaller family size due to high inflation and the expensive real estate sector. The current trend of one child is common in many young Iranian families, many of whom must support older parents.
Due to financial constraints, marriage delays are another new trend. There is another factor, along with delays in marriage and the extended interval between births.
Many incentives have been introduced to encourage childbirth by Iranian welfare organizations and the Ministry of Health.
First, the medical and medical benefits provided to mothers who are giving birth include:
Free or subsidized prenatal care. The public health center offers free or low-cost testing, lab testing, ultrasound, and supplements (such as folic acid and iron).
Insurance coverage: Most health insurance plans cover the majority of pregnancy-related costs, including delivery (normal and caesarean section).
There have been major advances in infertility treatment. Today, 100% of fertility treatment costs are covered by health insurance, and Iran has emerged as a community leader in this sector. A monthly allowance is provided to certain programs, particularly for low-income families. and
Maternal Health Program: Government health centres provide maternal training and support (breastfeeding, infant care, etc.).
Second, maternity leave and workplace rights:
Maternity Leave: Women are entitled to 9 months (270 days) paid maternity leave, fully covered by Social Security.
Employment Security: Iranian labour law guarantees women’s right to return to work after maternity leave;
Reduced working hours: In some sectors, pregnant women may receive reduced working hours or lighter duties.
Despite being provided with incentives to encourage childbirth in line with the Youth Population Act, the desired growth of the youth population has not yet been achieved. This is one of the most important challenges facing the country.
According to the latest census, the number of senior citizens in the country has increased by 3.62%, five times faster than the total population growth rate, or 1.24%. For the time being, older women account for 52.3% of the total population, outweighing men (47.7%).
Aging of an individual means an increase in life expectancy. However, population aging indicates a change in the distribution of the country’s population to older ages, which is not a favorable indicator.
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