Government’s efforts in vain: why Russia's birthrates keep dropping lower.

Over the past 10 years, the birth rate in the largest country in the world has dropped by 30%. Russian experts cite many factors, including the decline of traditional values, economic instability, and even extremists. Let’s examine how the government promotes childbirth and punishes those who choose to remain child-free, the factors that undermine these efforts, and the clear, effective measures the state could implement to support existing families and encourage people to have children.

Existing Policies

One of the major campaigns launched by the Russian government, and specifically President Putin, is the prohibition of so-called “child-free propaganda.” Individuals or companies that publicly argue against starting a family or discourage women from becoming pregnant can face significant fines of up to $51,000. The greatest harm caused by the “Law on Child-Free Propaganda” is not the fines, but the resulting self-censorship. Many internet forums where the struggles of motherhood were discussed have shut themselves down to avoid prompting legal action. Any online discussion could result in bans, punishments, or fines.

Of course, money is one of the most valuable forms of motivation in our world. Accordingly, the government provides maternity capital of 100,000 rubles, approximately $1,300, for each child, including firstborn children. The Maternity Capital Programme is the oldest measure implemented to address falling birth rates. It was introduced in 2007, when the country had only recently emerged from the demographic crisis of the 1990s. The program has been continuously updated over the past 17 years. The latest update provides money for first and second children, whereas mothers were previously rewarded only after giving birth to three children.

While prohibiting the spread of information about child-free lifestyles, the state introduces propaganda of its own into schools by adding extracurricular lessons to the curriculum, including “Family Studies” (Semyavedenie) and “Conversations About Important Things” (Razgovory o vazhnom). The first subject focuses on promoting traditional gender roles. Boys are portrayed as defenders and soldiers who should be brave and strong, while girls are told to behave modestly and obediently in preparation for their future roles as housewives and mothers. “Conversations About Important Things” also includes discussions about family values, along with patriotism, national duty, and the glorification of war.

All Efforts for Nothing

Despite these efforts, 2025 has recorded the lowest birth rate in the past 20 years. The underlying issue is clear. Instead of creating affordable housing and lowering living costs to support existing families, the government implements radical measures to promote pregnancy.

Inflation in Russia has reached 100% over the past 10 years, compared with 16% in China and 30% in the United States. Providing maternal support to families has potential, but the current amount is not enough to cover any meaningful portion of their expenses.

If we focus only on housing, we are met with disappointing statistics. The average monthly salary is $2,300 in Moscow and $1,100 in other regions. With maternity capital of $11,000, families still receive little help covering the cost of a two-bedroom apartment, which can reach $157,000. Based on simple calculations, mortgage payments could consume more than 90% of a person’s monthly salary, while rent could consume between 40% and 50%.

It is important to note that, although salaries in the capital city of Moscow are generally higher than those in other regions or major cities such as Novosibirsk, apartment prices are rising across the country. Mortgage interest rates are also extremely high, reaching 20%, with a minimum down payment of 20%. In short, maternity capital is insignificant compared with families’ actual needs and does not provide meaningful support.

While both society and the government push women to conform to traditional gender roles, they also expect mothers to work to support their families. At the same time, they do little to protect women from domestic abuse. In 2017, Putin signed a law that reduced the punishment for domestic abuse that does not cause major injuries from two years in prison to 15 days in administrative detention. Since then, the underreporting of domestic abuse and rape has risen dramatically. More than 65% of women admit that they do not feel safe in their own homes.

Additionally, the feminist movement that fights for women’s rights and choices was declared extremist in 2023, and many projects that helped women were forcibly shut down. Although the New People party promoted a new version of a law against domestic violence, Nina Ostanina, head of the Family Protection Committee, opposed it. This fact alone speaks louder than anything. Overall, the government has done little to create a safe and supportive environment for women in the country.

The promotion of gender inequality through direct propaganda about housewives and ambitious, breadwinning husbands has increased general hostility toward women in society. In schools, girls are already being prepared for childbirth, while boys are told that dying for their homeland is every citizen’s duty.

As part of this glorification of war, many veterans of the war in Ukraine have visited the extracurricular classes mentioned above to give lectures about courage and duty. Yet Russian state media rarely reports cases of rape and murder allegedly committed by former soldiers. Since 2022, more than 8,000 crimes committed by veterans have been documented by independent media sources.

What Should the Government Really Do?

In 2025, only about 0.27% of the country’s annual GDP was spent on maternity capital payments. This is insignificant compared with the scale of the problem facing families living on the brink of poverty. The first course of action should be to reduce living costs through financial benefits and calculate maternity capital based on families’ realistic needs. People who want to have children often decide otherwise because of financial concerns. Supporting existing families should be the government’s top priority.

Second, the government should update any laws that decriminalize domestic violence or undermine women’s rights. The Russian state must show women that it is committed to protecting them and that every citizen, not only men, is protected equally under the law. In my opinion, this is the bare minimum for a country that considers itself one of the world’s leaders in development.

Third, the country needs economic and political stability. Given the status quo, this idea may seem overly idealistic and almost utopian, but it must still be properly addressed. Many young people between the ages of 19 and 27, as well as older citizens, do not see a future in the country. A failing economic system, the shutdown of social media platforms, restrictions on the free internet, poor infrastructure, and endless fines used to support an equally endless war do not create an environment that encourages growth.

More than 60% of young, well-educated individuals leave the country for Europe or Southeast Asia, including Thailand and China, simply to have the opportunity to live well and avoid experiencing oppression every day.

What Conclusions Can Be Drawn?

The problem lies in promoting childbirth without guaranteeing affordable living conditions or basic safety. Punishments will never work as well as creating a supportive environment for children and their development. Women’s rights are violated, military propaganda teaches children to die for their homeland, and education is unaffordably expensive. Yet the Russian state continues to insist that girls and women give birth.