According to a report by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, currently about 54 municipalities pay out so-called “baby money”, while three others are considering introducing the practice.
On average, families get about 100 euros for each newborn, but in many cases other local organizations contribute financially to the family, in which case the sum may rise.
In the town of Iitti, near Kouvola in south east Finland, the baby bonus was common in the 1990s. After a break lasting around a decade, the one-time birthday benefit is here to stay – nowadays newborns get a head start with a 200-euro gift. But that’s not all; a local village association provides an additional 200 euros for each infant.
In towns like Kuhmoinen and Pyhäjoki, babies may receive up to 1,000 euros, while in Halsua a family might receive the additional blessing of up to 3,000 euros with the arrival of a newborn.
Iitti paid out bonuses to 50 families this year, and officials say that the baby money is here to stay.
These small towns hope that the baby bonus will entice young couples and families to populate their communities. They refute claims that the practice will entice only those looking to cash in on their growing families.
