Putin urges Russians to focus on procreation during work breaks to combat declining birth rate
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly encouraged Russians to engage in intimate relations during lunch and coffee breaks at work as part of an effort to address the country’s declining birth rate. This initiative comes in response to Russia’s fertility rate, which is currently about 1.5 children per woman—well below the 2.1 rate required to maintain a stable population, according to a report by Metro.
In addition to a low fertility rate, over a million Russians, primarily younger individuals, have left the country due to the ongoing war with Ukraine, further exacerbating the population decline.
Health minister supports Putin’s procreation push
Health Minister Dr. Yevgeny Shestopalov echoed Putin’s call, dismissing the idea that being too busy at work is an excuse for not procreating. He suggested that couples could use work breaks to focus on expanding their families, saying, “Life flies by too quickly.” When questioned about how people working 12 to 14 hours a day could find time for children, Shestopalov recommended they take advantage of their break times.
Putin emphasizes the importance of population growth
Putin has previously highlighted that the preservation of the Russian people is Russia’s highest national priority. He stated, “The fate of Russia…depends on how many of us there will be. It is a question of national importance.”
Lowest birth rate since 1999
Notably, Russia’s birth rate has hit its lowest point since 1999, with the number of live births in June falling below 100,000. This drastic drop has raised concerns in Moscow about a severe population decline. According to Rosstat, Russia’s governmental statistics agency, the country has seen a significant decrease in births, with 16,000 fewer children born between January and June 2024 compared to the same period last year, as per Euro News.
This decline is further exacerbated by an 18% increase in population decline, with 49,000 more deaths recorded in 2024 than the previous year, likely due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Government efforts to boost birth rates
In response to the declining birth rate, the Kremlin has introduced several measures, including:
- Free fertility checks: Women in Moscow aged 18-40 are being encouraged to undergo free fertility assessments to evaluate their reproductive potential.
- Employer pressure: MP Tatyana Butskaya has proposed a plan to encourage employers to push their female employees to have children.
- Incentives: The Chelyabinsk region offers £8,500 to female students under 24 who have their first child.
- Restricting abortion: Access to abortion is being restricted as public figures and church officials claim it is a woman’s duty to give birth and raise children.
- Increased divorce fees: Divorce fees have been raised to discourage couples from separating.
Politicians call for early motherhood
Politician Anna Kuznetsova has called for women to start having children at a younger age, stating, “You should start giving birth at 19-20 years old. Then, statistically, the family will be able to have three, four, or more children.”
Critics argue that these measures undermine individual autonomy, especially for women, and could have unintended social consequences in Russia.
