In a bid to tackle the declining birth rates in Russia, almost a dozen regions are gearing up to offer cash incentives to young women who give birth. However, there’s a significant caveat to this financial incentive program set to roll out on Jan. 1, 2025.
Here are some key points to consider about the monetary incentives for childbirth in Russia:
- Young women who successfully carry a child to term will receive a payment of 100,000 rubles, equivalent to roughly C$1,300.
- The bonuses are subject to strict criteria, which include being a full-time student at a local college or university and being under the age of 25 at the time of giving birth.
- If a mother-to-be fails to carry the child to term, she becomes disqualified from receiving the payment. This means that the eligibility is contingent on the successful birth of the child.
To address the issue of low birth rates, Russia’s lower house of parliament unanimously passed a ban on what is deemed as dangerous propaganda for a child-free way of life. This move is aimed at boosting the declining birth rate, which has hit a historic low in a quarter of a century. President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the importance of three-child families to secure the future of the country.
The ban on child-free propaganda also extends to content promoting non-traditional lifestyles, such as same-sex relationships, and dissenting views on the conflict in Ukraine. Violators of this ban could face hefty fines.
In a series of sweeping changes to health policies and new incentive programs, the Russian government is taking aggressive steps to address the low birth rates. These initiatives include using public funds to pay for wedding night stays at hotels for newlyweds to encourage conception and promoting procreation during work breaks.
As countries worldwide grapple with declining birth rates, Russia is not alone in its efforts to boost fertility rates. In Canada, for example, the fertility rate hit a record low in 2023, mirroring the global trend of delaying parenthood.
Efforts to address low birth rates in Russia and other countries underscore the complex challenges posed by changing demographics and societal norms. It remains to be seen how effective these incentives and policies will be in reversing the declining birth rates and ensuring a sustainable population growth for the future.
