France sends letter to 29-year-olds telling them to have babies before it is ‘too late’

France is facing major backlash over the offensive letter

They believe the letter will help improve the country's declining birth rate, but it has only amassed widespread backlash across the world.

The health ministry wants to inform women about their fertility options in their twenties and thirties. This includes egg freezing, which is free for women between the ages of 29 and 37 in France.

In Ireland, two rounds of egg freezing can cost over €5,000.

The letter is part of a 16-point national plan to increase birth rates in France and to address concerns about the aging population and falling birth rate.

The health ministry wants to share “targeted, balanced and scientifically based information on sexual and reproductive health” in a bid to avoid the "if only I had known mentality."

Hundreds of thousands of people will receive the letter, which will address the biological clock, but stresses that "biological clocks are not the same, but men have one too”.

Health Minister Stephanie Rist stressed that the Government is not trying "to dictate whether or not to have children”, but is trying to inform people of their options.

Rist said they're hoping to tackle infertility in France, which reportedly affects every one in eight couples. A 2022 report found that 3.3 million people are affected by infertility.

What do you think of the letter? Is it offensive or informative?

Many women have slated the letter with French psychologist Marie-Estelle Dupont, stressing that improving maternity leave would be a more encouraging approach.

One woman wrote, "My son is going to be 2, and I'm struggling to get paid for my maternity leave, which lasted only 4 months with a c-section."

Another added, "I wish one day Mamas can get paid properly to take care of their kids in the first years of life. This is so important."