The UK aid cuts, a new five-year vision and the AfD in Germany

February Update

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FEBRUARY 2025

Dear John,

February marked the launch of our new five-year strategy - a bold, evidence-based plan shaped through months of work. It sets out a clear path for driving change through research, advocacy and collaboration.

Now comes the challenge of turning strategy into action. This means establishing a dedicated research function, strengthening links with international partners and diversifying our funding to ensure long-term resilience. We’ll keep you updated as we move forward.

Meanwhile, 2025 has already brought seismic global shifts, reshaping policies and priorities. In this update, we examine the impact of USAID cuts, the rise of the far-right in Germany and an overlooked election in Belarus. We also have a response in light of last week's announcement that the UK is to cut its international aid budget.

- The Population Matters team

The UK government has announced further cuts to the aid budget to fund increased defence spending. Alongside other UK NGOs, Population Matters has joined Bond in urging the Prime Minister to reverse this decision. Cutting aid threatens some of the world's most marginalised communities and in this open letter we offer practical recommendations as an alternative.

Read the letter in full

POPULATION AND ENVIRONMENT

Donald Trump Cuts International Aid

The Trump Administration has signed an executive order, triggering a USAID funding freeze that has disrupted global humanitarian aid efforts. This has caused devastation to the thousands of organisations reliant upon this funding, with disruption to vital sexual and reproductive healthcare services that could affect millions.

The AfD in Germany - Family Policy and Climate Action

The rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany could have significant implications. As predicted, the party finished second in last week's election. With its increased prominence, its stance on increasing birth rates, reshaping social policies and challenging climate action could shape Germany’s future.

The Belarus Election and Pronatalist Policies

Last month, Alexander Lukashenko secured a seventh term as Belarus' president in an election widely dismissed as neither free nor fair. This blog explores the government’s emphasis on increasing birth rates, the country’s declining fertility trends and the implications for women’s autonomy.

China's Calls for a "Childbirth Culture"

As part of our Welcome to Gilead campaign, we examine restrictions on reproductive rights in China within the broader global trends in reproductive freedom. Building on our 2021 report, this update explores China's recent pronatalist measures and their impact on women's autonomy.

NEWS

All Populations Matter: Our New Five-Year Vision

On 19 February, we launched our new strategy – a bold and ambitious vision for the next five years of Population Matters. Designed to drive real change for both people and the planet, it sets out an exciting path forward. Our Chief Executive, Amy Jankiewicz, explains more.

Challenging Calls for a Baby Boom

This week, the i newspaper ran I'm a father of three – this is why we need a baby boom. We were featured, giving the counterargument: “Harmful lies and myths spread by the pronatalist movement wage a war on women’s bodies and choices.” Click below to read more.

Read the article

LEAVING A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

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Quote of the month

"This is not the moment to despair, we must stand up, speak up and show up! No one will do it more efficiently than us (women)."

- Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate, Liberian peace activist, social worker and women’s rights advocate (via Women’s rights in 2025: Hope, resilience, and the fight against backlash - UN Women).

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