بایسته‌های قانون‌گذاری جمعیت در ایران؛ مطالعه تطبیقی قوانین موفق در سه کشور اسکاندیناوی

The unprecedented decline in Iran's population, necessitates the implementation of population laws. This is further compounded by the increasing participation of women in the workforce, a consequence of increased educational opportunities. The question that needs to be addressed is how women's economic participation can be enhanced while concomitantly promoting population growth. Sweden, Norway, and Finland have achieved a commendable equilibrium between work and family obligations, enhanced female employment prospects, and sustained population growth by decreasing the opportunity cost of childbearing. The present article employs a comparative, problem-solving, and historical approach to examine the successful laws of the aforementioned states, to propose strategies for reforming Iran's population Legislation and policymaking. The findings indicate that these countries, grounded in principles of distributive justice, gender equality, and universalism, have reduced the opportunity cost of childbearing and reservation wages through parental leave, subsidised childcare, and financial support, thereby maintaining a fertility rate of approximately 1.8 and female employment around 80%. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the “General Population Policies” (2014) and the Family and "Youthful Population Support Law" (2021) address certain economic and social aspects, but demonstrate a lack of gender equity, paternal roles, and policy flexibility. The study proposes comprehensive laws grounded in social justice and human dignity, emphasising equal educational opportunities, living expenditure control, lifestyle reform, and enhanced employment to boost childbearing demand while preserving women's human capital. These should be integrated with existing laws, such as maternity leave, to form a cohesive policy package.