Preserving family values and the institution of the family in the EU

Subject: Preserving family values and the institution of the family in the EU

According to Eurostat, 1.53 children are born in the EU per woman. But if society is not to die out, and if it is to renew itself naturally, each woman must give birth to at least 2.1 children. If a society does not renew itself naturally, it faces the prospect of economic collapse. A shrinking population prevents the economy from growing, and there is no way to guarantee social security and pensions because of the falling number of people working. Therefore, taxes have to rise all the time, which reduces economic growth even further.

However, there is an increasing focus on LGBT people and their values in the EU and in EU education systems. People who want to speak out and defend traditional family values are marginalised and treated as hate-mongers. Furthermore, children are being sexualised through sex education and are not being taught the healthy moral values that are the foundation of a vibrant society.

1. Does the Commission believe that there is a fertility emergency in the EU?

2. How can the Commission begin to support the institution of the family, which is the foundation of a healthy and vibrant society?

Submitted:12.6.2023

Answer given by Vice-President Šuica on behalf of the European Commission (24 August 2023)

The Commission recognises that the demographic landscape of Europe is changing and supports Member States in their effort to tackle challenges such as the ageing of the EU population and a shrinking working-age population. The reasons behind demographic trends are multifaceted (1).

Starting a family and having children is a matter of individual choice and the EU has no competence in this area. However, the Commission supports Member States in creating favourable social and economic conditions enabling individuals to plan their family life according to their personal preferences.

Examples at EU level include the directive on work-life balance (2) and the Pregnant Workers Directive (3), the European Care Strategy (4), the Council Recommendation on early childhood education and care (5), the European Child Guarantee (6), and financial support for childcare facilities under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (7).

Equality and non-discrimination are core values and fundamental rights in the EU, enshrined in its Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (8) builds on these principles and aims to address the inequalities and challenges affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people, in order to move towards a Union of equality where all people can be themselves without risk of discrimination, exclusion or violence.

In response to the European Council conclusions of June 2023 (9), the Commission is also working on a toolbox to address demographic challenges.

The communication will provide an overview of the EU instruments available to support addressing the consequences of demographic change.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=88&eventsId=2057&furtherEvents=yes

2 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32019L1158

3 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A31992L0085

4 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022DC0440

5 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022H1220%2801%29

6 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021H1004

7 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023H0203%2801%29

8 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0698

9 ∙ ⸱ https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-7-2023-INIT/en/pdf