In an effort to combat declining birth rates, Russia has introduced financial incentives to encourage young women to have children. One such measure in the Karelia region offers 100,000 rubles (approximately Rs 81,000 or $900) to female students under 25 who give birth to a healthy baby.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the country’s demographic crisis, with birth rates hitting historic lows in recent years.
Karelia Region Leads with Financial Rewards for Young Mothers
To be eligible for the incentive, applicants need to meet certain requirements. They should be under 25 years old, studying full-time at a nearby university or college, and living in Karelia. The program states that babies should be born healthy, which means stillbirths do not qualify.
However, it’s not clear how the policy handles babies with disabilities or issues after birth, which leaves some questions about how inclusive it really is.
Russia Seeks to Reverse Declining Birth Trends
Russia is facing serious demographic challenges. In the first half of 2024, just 599,600 babies were born, the lowest in 25 years. This is a drop of 16,000 compared to the same time in 2023. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, described the situation as “catastrophic for the nation’s future.”
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To address this, at least 11 regional governments, including Tomsk, have rolled out programs to encourage more births.
First-Time Mothers to Receive 677,000 Rubles Starting in 2025
On a national level, the government is also stepping in by increasing maternity benefits. Beginning in 2025, mothers having their first child will receive 677,000 rubles (around $6,150), a rise from 630,400 rubles in 2024. For those welcoming a second child, the payment will be 894,000 rubles (about $8,130), up from 833,000 rubles.
China and Japan Address Demographic Challenges
Russia isn’t the only country dealing with demographic issues. China and Japan are also trying different ways to tackle their shrinking populations. While offering financial support is a helpful start, some people believe it doesn’t really solve deeper problems like job insecurity, the high cost of childcare, and insufficient healthcare, all of which play a big role in how families make decisions about having children.
This program has opened up discussions about whether these types of policies can truly change the trend of declining populations or if we need to look at broader solutions to really help young families and encourage steady population growth.