Finnish towns offer cash ‘Baby Bonus’ to new parents

A number of small towns in Finland offer a cash incentive to couples willing to boost the waning local population.  In response to declining  numbers, the tiny town of Lestijarvi (population: 815) now stumps up a whopping €10,000 to couples who have their babies there. The payment is given to the new parents in installments of €1,000 to ensure they don't take the money and hot foot it to a bigger city. As part of the antenatal care in Finland, the state also gives mothers a package shortly before their baby is born. It's a cardboard box filled with really useful things like a snowsuit, hat and mittens, a thermometer, a bath towel, nail scissors, a teething toy and muslin squares.