Policy Strategies for Addressing the Challenge of Declining Fertility Rates in Isfahan Province: From Mental Health to Economic Security

Abstract

Declining fertility rates can be seen as a sign of declining family resilience as the central core of society. The experience of Isfahan Province shows that the way out of this challenge lies in the transition from short-term policies to long-term infrastructure investments, including household psychosocial capital. In this context, the establishment of a cross-sectoral working group on population and family health at the provincial level, centered on the University of Medical Sciences, the participation of all relevant institutions, and the development of a unified roadmap are essential. This institution can pave the way for effective transformation by directing scattered budgets to structural investments. The priority of this investment should be focused on developing mental health infrastructure by integrating counseling services into the health network system, strengthening quality and affordable child care centers, and implementing innovative pilots to create job flexibility. In line with these measures, it is essential to redefine the public discourse from quantitative to qualitative and emphasize the three axes of couples' mental health, agreement and peace in the relationship, and job-economic security as the main pillars of decision-making. Also, instead of uniform and general policies, designing regional policy packages that are appropriate to the demographic and cultural characteristics of each region can significantly increase the effectiveness of interventions. This comprehensive roadmap ultimately defines population resilience as a program for national qualitative development, the success of which leads to strengthening the demographic structure, community health, economic productivity, and national cohesion. © 2025, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.