Stimulation of Fertility and Privileges of Numerous Families in the German Democratic Republic

The destructive World War II as well as the enlisting of about 1 500 000 people most of them in active working age by the German Federal Republic, and a decline in fertility in 1960's have caused the ageing of the population of the German Democratic Republic. To prevent an excessive ageing and to secure adequate labour force for the economy a wide scale policy is carried on. Abortion is forbidden with the exception of some particular cases, mothers are paid extraordinary progressive grants when the next child has been born and they are paid small grants during the following six months. They have right to 14 weeks'full-pay maternity leave, free medical care and in case of illness to compensatory payment up to the average wages level. Progressive monthly allowance is paid for each next child up to the age of 18. Families with many children have priority in getting flats, they are given pecuniary aid to pay rent and buy high-value goods and they are charged very little if they send their children to a crèche or nursery school.Digitalizacja i deponowanie archiwalnych zeszytów RPEiS sfinansowane przez MNiSW w ramach realizacji umowy nr 541/P-DUN/201