France's fertility, health seen as bright spots in crisis

Health
 Reuters

France has fared relatively better on key social metrics such as health and fertility than its European peers since the global financial crisis of 2008, according to a study released by the national statistics office INSEE on Wednesday.

The two recessions that followed the 2007/2008 financial crisis hit European countries differently, with the mostly southern, heavily indebted 'peripheral' countries such as Greece and Portugal coming under pressure to cut their welfare spending while northern European countries were broadly spared.

"France finds itself in the middle ground of European countries, but it also is in a peculiar position," Fabrice Lenglart, head of social statistics at INSEE, told reporters.

"Although it's in the lower average when it comes to the impact of the crisis on the labor market, France is doing much better in terms of health spending and fertility," he said.

Despite a sharp rise in unemployment, France claimed the top position in the European Union in terms of the fertility rate in 2013, overtaking Ireland with two children per woman, just below the 2.1 level which guarantees a stable population.

In southern European countries, where unemployment rates have shot up, fertility rates have declined sharply since 2008 from already low levels, falling below 1.4 children per woman in Spain, Portugal and Greece.

INSEE's Lenglart said well-established family benefits and childcare provisions that encourage women not to give up work when they have children explained France's performance.

Austerity programs also had a massive impact on the proportion of health spending that patients have to pay out of their pockets in southern European countries and Ireland.

The crisis reversed long-term declines in Italy and Spain, with the latter seeing an increase from 18.6 percent to 21.8 percent. In France, however, the crisis had no visible impact: French patients fared the best in Europe, with seven percent of out-of-pocket expenses in healthspending since 2000.

As it forced many people to put off visits to the doctor, austerity took its toll on life expectancy in many European countries but in France this metric remained stable.

INSEE said the number of healthy life years dropped in Italy to 60.9 years in 2013 from 62.6 in 2007, and to 65.1 years in Greece from 67.6 before the economic crisis. French people are expected to live 64.4 years in good health on average.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.