The Role of the State in Population Engineering: A Comparative Study of Global Experiences in Pro-Natalist Policies

Mirkhoshkhou, Amene

doi:10.22059/jppolicy.2026.416818.2911

The Role of the State in Population Engineering: A Comparative Study of Global Experiences in Pro-Natalist Policies

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Author

Amene Mirkhoshkhou

Assistant professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economic, Arak University.

10.22059/jppolicy.2026.416818.2911

Abstract

This study examines the role of the state in the design, implementation, and evaluation of pro-natalist policies through a comparative assessment of selected national experiences. The main question is why some countries have succeeded in increasing fertility rates, or at least slowing their decline, while others have achieved limited results despite extensive policy efforts. Using a descriptive-analytical and comparative method, the research investigates pro-natalist policies in selected countries, including South Korea, Japan, France, Sweden, and Turkey. In the first stage, qualitative content analysis is employed to classify population policies according to key dimensions such as the type of incentives, the degree of state intervention, cultural approaches, and policy outcomes. The findings are then interpreted through the analytical framework of “state capacity in population engineering.” The study suggests that the effectiveness of pro-natalist policies is closely linked to the interaction between welfare policies, gender equality, and social trust, and that state capacity alone cannot ensure successful demographic outcomes.

Keywords

Pro-Natalist Policies

State Capacity

Welfare Policy

Gender Equality

Social Trust

Subjects