Russia is going all in on a baby boom
The Kremlin promises money to people who have children, expands benefits for large families, and publicly "cares" about pregnant students and schoolgirls. The sums involved are enormous: by 2030, the national "Family" project is expected to receive funding equivalent to about two of Ukraine's annual state budgets in terms of expenditures. The money will go toward measures intended, in one way or…
Russia is making a significant push to reverse its declining birth rate and boost the population, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The government has pledged enormous funding, equivalent to about two years of Ukraine's annual state budget, to fund initiatives aimed at increasing the birth rate. Measures include financial incentives such as mortgages and tax breaks for families, as well as pro-natalist propaganda and restrictions on abortion.
However, these efforts have not been met with universal approval. A monitoring study of popular Russian social networks in early 2026 revealed widespread public irritation and criticism of the government's demographic policies. Social media users expressed concerns that the incentives were pushing young women to prioritize childbearing over education and careers, and questioned the long-term implications of stricter abortion laws.
The Russian authorities acknowledge that financial incentives alone are not sufficient to achieve their goal of raising the total fertility rate to 2.1 children per woman by 2030. To complement the incentives, they have implemented various restrictions, including a ban on the promotion of not having children, penalties for coercing women into abortions, and discussions about requiring a husband's consent for an abortion.
Despite the Kremlin's efforts to address the demographic crisis, public opinion remains divided. While the state views the measures as crucial for maintaining a stable population, many Russians see the policies as intrusive and counterproductive, leading to a growing rift between the government and the public on the issue of family planning.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
