A birth has always been an important event, both for individuals and for society. The world’s population constantly increases, but in Norway and other western countries, birth rates are declining. Today’s mothers give birth to fewer children on average than before. Birth statistics are closely monitored by the authorities.

In her New Year’s speech in 2019, Prime Minister Erna Solberg encouraged Norwegian women and men to have more children. Since the early 1800s, population development has been an important governmental issue and a recurring theme in political debate. One hundred years ago, Katti Anker Møller fought for the mother’s role to be recognized as crucial labor in society.