Rewritten Title: New Data Indicates Population Policies Gaining Traction, Marking Shift in National Demographic Trends
Article:
A senior Iranian lawmaker has presented data indicating that the nation’s comprehensive population law is yielding significant results, highlighting a marked shift in key demographic indicators including a substantial decline in abortion rates and a reversal in the falling birth rate trend.
Halting the Decline
Amirhossein Bankipour, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for the Support of the Family and Youthful Population, addressed the country’s demographic trajectory. He noted that while the birth rate had been increasing from the late 2000s until 2015, it began to decline thereafter due to a shrinking population of women of reproductive age and previous policies.
“Following the implementation of the Law for the Support of the Family and Youthful Population from 2021, this declining trend was halted,” Bankipour stated. “In fact, the birth rate has even increased in 15 provinces across the country.”
A Sharp Drop in Abortions
One of the most notable findings presented was a dramatic reduction in the number of abortions. The official reported that abortions in the country have been approximately halved.
“Statistics show that abortions have seen a 35 percent reduction relative to the birth rate, and overall, abortion has decreased by 50 percent,” Bankipour explained. He attributed this significant drop to revised health protocols, limitations on widespread screening, and successful public awareness campaigns.
Shifting Family Patterns
Further evidence of changing demographics was provided through evolving family patterns. The lawmaker revealed a substantial increase in the proportion of births that are third children or higher.
“In the past, only 18 percent of births were related to the third child and above, but this figure has now reached 27 percent, representing a 35 percent increase in this pattern,” he said, underscoring a tangible change in reproductive behavior.
A Framework of Support
Emphasizing the law’s core philosophy, Bankipour clarified that its objective is to empower families to make free and informed decisions about having children within a supportive framework.
“Before the law, certain counseling practices and threats, such as the cancellation of insurance, negatively influenced family decision-making,” he remarked. “The current focus, however, is squarely on supporting families who choose to have children.”
He concluded by affirming that the serious implementation of the law, coupled with measures like insuring screening processes, provides crucial support to families navigating economic challenges, thereby strengthening the nation’s youthful population trajectory.