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January 5, 2007

Babies come with a bonus in Germany: $13,000

  • A recent government study forecast Germany's population will drop by as much as 16 percent by 2050, sapping the work force and undermining the state pension system.
    • By STEPHEN GRAHAM
    Associated Press Writer

    BERLIN — When her water broke early on New Year's Eve, Julia Gotschlich was mainly thinking about the imminent birth of her second child. But she couldn't help worrying about family finances, too.

    She and her husband stood to lose out on more than $13,200 if the baby arrived before midnight, when Germany's generous new family benefits took effect — part of a government effort to raise one of the lowest birthrates in Europe.


     
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