In an effort to increase an otherwise shrinking population the German government introduced a monetary subsidy to encourage working couples to have children. The subsidy worth up to 25,200 euros ($33,470) took effect on January 1, 2007. The new subsidy grants German parents two-thirds of their net monthly salary, up to a maximum of 1,800 euros, for 12 months, if they take off work to care for their newborn. The subsidy didn’t take effect until January 1, 2007 which left a lot of women postponing their deliveries until the new year.
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