Russia‘s low birth rate has pushed the regional lawmakers to introduce policy offering 100,000 rubles (approx Rs 82,232) to female students who deliver a healthy baby. The initiative targets full-time students under 25 years old who reside in Karelia, with implementation beginning January 1, 2025.
The legislation contains notable gaps, excluding stillbirths whilst remaining unclear about cases involving infant mortality or children with disabilities. Additional support for childcare and postpartum recovery remains unspecified, The Moscow Times reported.
Despite Vladimir Putin’s advocacy for larger families as a national standard, the administration has shown limited commitment to improving women’s welfare and reproductive safety. The 2017 decriminalisation of certain domestic violence offences has raised concerns, particularly as soldiers return from Ukraine.
This initiative emerges amidst Russia’s demographic challenges, intensified by military losses in Ukraine and widespread emigration. The government’s response includes potential restrictions on contraception, nationalist family-focused events, and opposition to child-free lifestyles.
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Statistical evidence reveals troubling trends. Between 2011 and 2019, domestic violence claimed over 10,000 women’s lives in Russia. Despite overwhelming public support for re-criminalisation, official resistance persists, notably during the designated Year of the Family.
Current conditions discourage family planning. As illustrated by “Nastya”, a 26-year-old who relocated to Israel with her newborn, many prospective parents seek opportunities abroad. Research indicates that post-February 2022 emigrants tend to be younger and more financially stable.
Economic factors significantly influence birth rates. VTsIOM polling shows 40% of Russian women cite financial constraints as their primary reason for avoiding parenthood. Despite official claims of reduced poverty, analysts like Vyacheslav Shiryaev highlight misleading statistics affected by inflation.
Shiryaev criticises Karelia’s incentive as inadequate, suggesting it might attract vulnerable individuals rather than those prepared for parenthood. He argues that the sum fails to address the substantial costs of child-rearing.
