프랑스 출산율 하락 현상에 대한 고찰과 정책적 시사점: 2014년 올랑드 정부의 가족정책 개혁을 중심으로

Abstract

This study investigates the causes of France’s declining fertility rates and draws policy implications. In 2023, the nubmer of births in Frace fell below 700,000, and the total fertility rate dropped to 1.68, the lowest since World War II. Scholars attribute this decline to the 2014 family policy reforms implemented by President Hollande, which included differential family allowance payments, reduction of PAJE (prestation d’accueil du jeune enfant), abolition of CLCA (complement de libre choix d’activite), creation of PreParE (prestation partagée d’education de l’enfant), and lowering the family coefficient benefit cap. These reforms reduced state support, negatively impacting families' childbearing and childrearing decisions. Policy implications include ensuring policy credibility, fostering a democratic and egalitarian social culture, and recognizing families' proactive roles. The study suggests that policies should be implemented with long-term trust, prerequisites should be reviewed to maintain system intent, and the perception of families as passive entities should be changed. Future research should examine the government’s responses, fertility rate trends, and scholars' opinions over a longer period.