# Hungary pays couples to have babies: Does it work?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-global-story-6677479/hungary-pays-couples-to-have-babies-does-it-work
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-global-story-6677479/hungary-pays-couples-to-have-babies-does-it-work.md
Podcast: [The Global Story](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-global-story-6677479)
Published: 2026-06-17T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct8mkx
Audio file: http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/6/redir/version/2.0/mediaset/audio-nondrm-download-rss/proto/http/vpid/p0nsf814.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-global-story-6677479/episodes/hungary-pays-couples-to-have-babies-does-it-work
Duration seconds: 1616

## Resource

Global fertility rates are at record lows globally, and governments around the world are urging couples to grow their families. Under Viktor Orbán’s leadership, Hungary implemented some of the most aggressive pro-natalist policies in the world — including generous subsidies for couples who promise to have children, lengthy paid maternity leave, and thousands of dollars in interest-free loans. But does paying people to have kids actually work? We speak to BBC populations correspondent Stephanie Hegarty about the possibilities and limitations of pro-natalist government policies. Producers: Xandra Ellin and Hannah Moore Executive producer: Bridget Harney Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: A mother holding the feet of her baby. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

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