Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly told Russians to make intimacy during lunch and coffee breaks to help curb the country’s falling birth rate. The fertility rate in Russia is at about 1.5 children per woman, lower than what is required to keep its population at 2.1. Over a million, mostly young Russians, have left the country because of the war there with Ukraine, reports Metro.
Health Minister Dr Yevgeny Shestopalov declared that being busy at work was not a reason for avoiding having children. He proposed using breaks to focus on growing families, referring to the adage “life goes by too quickly.”.
He laughed at the question by a reporter on how those working for 12 to 14 hours daily could find time for children and replied that they could use their break times for that.
Earlier, Putin has said, “Preserving the Russian people is our top national priority. Russia’s future depends on our population size. It is a crucial national issue.”
Russian Birth Rate Hits Lowest Since 1999; Population Loss Up 18% Due To War
Under 100,000 babies born in June Russia’s population birth rate is the lowest since 1999, less than 100,000 babies born in June. This steep drop in birth rate has concerned officials within the Moscow city administration that a sharp decline of population is possible. Rosstat, Russia’s statistics agency, reported that there were 16,000 fewer births between January and June of 2024 compared to the same time period last year, according to Euro News.
Loss in population is also rising by 18%, and as of last year, it recorded a higher number of deaths totaling 49,000 more deaths, likely because of the war still being waged over Ukraine.
To deal with the problem of declining birth rate in Russia, the Kremlin has taken a number of initiatives:
- Free Fertility Tests: Women aged 18-40 years can undergo free fertility tests to know whether they can bear children.
- Grounds for Pressure on Employers: MP Tatyana Butskaya proposes applying pressure on employers to urge their female workers to have children.
- Financial Incentives: The Chelyabinsk region is offering £8,500 for the first child to female students under 24 years of age.
- Restrictions on Abortion: The process of abortion is under restrictions because public figures and leaders of the faith are advocating for the birth and upbringing of children.
- Increased Divorce Fees: The fees for divorce have been increased to deter people from getting divorced.
