pronatalism

American  

[proh-neyt-l-iz-uhm] / proʊˈneɪt lˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the policy or practice of encouraging the bearing of children, especially government support of a higher birthrate.

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Other Word Forms

• pronatalist noun
• pronatalistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pronatalism

1935–40; pro- ¹ + natal (in a sense perhaps influenced by French natalité birthrate) + -ism

Example Sentences

That makes pronatalism look less like symbolism and more like the early architecture of a policy-backed consumer ecosystem.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

"There's a renewed interest in pronatalism and family promotion among American conservatives," says Timothy Carney, author of Family Unfriendly, How our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder than it Needs to Be.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2025

They have become the poster children for pronatalism, a movement that believes falling birth rates are a big problem for society.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2025

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David talk about pronatalism and the Collins family.

From Slate • May 30, 2024

In less coercive forms, pronatalism also motivated the French system of paid leave and postnatal care and Russia’s “maternity capital” program.

From Slate • Feb. 6, 2018