Prime minister offers lifetime tax break for mothers of four

Hungary’s government is greatly increasing financial aid and subsidies for families with several children, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Sunday during his “state of the nation” speech.

The measures are meant to encourage women to have more children and reverse Hungary’s population decline. The benefits include a lifetime personal income-tax exemption for women who give birth and raise at least four children; a subsidy of $8,825 toward the purchase a seven-seat vehicle for families with three or more children; and a low-interest loan of $35,300 for women under age 40 who are marrying for the first time.