Compare United States birth rates and those of any country in Europe, or European countries and the third world, and you'll see that government support is far from the best way to increase fertility rates. In fact, in many ways it is counter-productive.

People have babies in the third world and to some extent in the United States because they are uncertain about their future. The best thing they can do to ensure a comfortable old age is to have children who will help support them.

The European social contract is counter-productive because it ensures a comfortable old age to everyone. That removes a good reason to have children.

So, if Europe wants to increase fertility rates, it should become more like the United States: tax cuts for the rich, bankrupt social welfare programs, uncertain health care.