Russians advised to have sex during breaks to boost birth rate.
The initiative is introduced as Russia grapples with a declining fertility rate, which currently stands at around 1.5 children per woman. This figure is significantly below the 2.1 rate necessary to sustain a stable population. The country’s government is concerned about the long-term demographic consequences of this trend, which could lead to a shrinking workforce and increased strain on social services. To address the issue, officials are encouraging Russians to use work breaks for intimate activities, aiming to increase birth rates and stabilize the population. This unusual measure highlights the urgent need for demographic intervention.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently made headlines with a controversial initiative aimed at addressing the country’s declining birth rate. Reportedly, Putin has encouraged Russians to engage in intimate relations during their lunch and coffee breaks at work. This unusual suggestion comes as Russia faces a significant demographic challenge. The country’s fertility rate, currently around 1.5 children per woman, falls notably short of the 2.1 rate required to sustain a stable population. The situation is compounded by the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, which has driven over a million, predominantly younger Russians, to leave the country.
Health Minister Dr. Yevgeny Shestopalov has echoed the urgency of the situation, dismissing the idea that being too busy with work is a valid excuse for not procreating. He has encouraged people to use their breaks as an opportunity to focus on expanding their families, stressing that “life flies by too quickly.” When questioned about how those working long hours might find time for such activities, Shestopalov suggested they should make use of their allotted breaks.
This push to increase the birth rate is part of a broader strategy by the Russian government to address what it sees as a looming demographic crisis. Putin has emphasized that the preservation of the Russian people is a top national priority, stating, “The fate of Russia…depends on how many of us there will be. It is a question of national importance.” The urgency of this message is underscored by the recent statistics showing a dramatic decline in the birth rate. Rosstat, Russia’s governmental statistics agency, reports that the number of births from January to June 2024 is 16,000 fewer compared to the same period last year. Additionally, there has been an 18% increase in population decline, with 49,000 more deaths recorded in 2024 compared to the previous year, a situation likely exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In response to these alarming trends, the Kremlin has introduced a series of measures designed to boost the birth rate. Among these initiatives are:
- Free Fertility Checks: Women in Moscow aged 18-40 are being encouraged to undergo free fertility assessments to evaluate their “reproductive potential.”
- Employer Coercion: MP Tatyana Butskaya has proposed legislation to pressure employers into encouraging their female employees to have children.
- Incentives: The Chelyabinsk region is offering financial incentives, amounting to approximately 8,500 pounds, to female students under 24 who give birth to their first child.
- Restricting Abortion: Access to abortion is being increasingly restricted nationwide, with some public figures and church representatives arguing that women’s primary role should be to bear and raise children.
- Increased Divorce Fees: Fees for divorce have been raised in an attempt to discourage separation.
- Encouraging Early Childbearing: Politician Anna Kuznetsova has advocated for women to start having children at a younger age, suggesting that starting at 19-20 years old would statistically enable families to have three, four, or more children.
Despite these efforts, critics argue that the policies may undermine individual autonomy, particularly for women, and could have unintended social consequences. By imposing various incentives and restrictions, the government risks altering the social fabric and personal freedoms of its citizens.
The Kremlin’s approach highlights the severity of Russia’s demographic challenge and reflects a broader concern about the long-term sustainability of the nation’s population. While the measures aim to reverse the declining birth rate, the effectiveness and ethical implications of such policies remain subjects of considerable debate.