Recent population policy measures in Belgium especially with respect to fertility

Policy measures affecting fertility recently adopted in Belgium are reviewed. The author notes that although responsibility for population matters has been delegated to the respective language groups the responsibility for family law divorce abortion social security taxation and labor policy remains a national responsibility. There are currently no measures in these areas adopted primarily for demographic reasons. Differences between the approaches taken by the French- and Dutch-speaking communities are noted. The author suggests that the French-speaking community has focused on problems relating to contraception and abortion and the Dutch-speaking community has emphasized social welfare and family policy (SUMMARY IN ENG)