A Russian region, Karelia, has launched a new initiative to combat the country’s declining birth rate. This policy of Russia offers a substantial reward of 100,000 rubles (approximately Rs 81,000) to female students under 25 who give birth to a healthy baby. The region is aiming to encourage young women to start families and reverse the falling birth rate.
To qualify for this incentive, women must meet specific conditions. Applicants must be:
The payment is conditional on the child being born healthy. If the child is stillborn, the mother will not be eligible for the stipend. Additionally, it remains unclear whether mothers of children who die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or those with disabilities will receive the bonus.
Russia is experiencing a population crisis. In the first half of 2024, the country saw only 599,600 births, the lowest number in 25 years. This marks a worrying decline of 16,000 births compared to the same period in 2023. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently described the situation as “catastrophic for the future of the nation.”
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Karelia is not the only region introducing such incentives. Tomsk, another city in central Russia, has also implemented a similar program. In fact, at least 11 regional governments in Russia are offering cash incentives to female students who give birth. These initiatives are a part of a larger national effort to address Russia’s demographic decline.
The Russian government is also increasing maternity benefits to further encourage childbearing. Starting in 2025, first-time mothers will receive 677,000 rubles (around Rs 5 lakh), a notable rise from 630,400 rubles the previous year. Additionally, mothers expecting their second child will be entitled to 894,000 rubles (approximately Rs 7 lakh), up from 833,000 rubles in 2024.
The population decline in Russia is a result of several factors. High adult mortality, emigration, and low birth rates are all contributing to the crisis. The ongoing war in Ukraine has worsened these issues, leading to a large number of deaths and a significant outflow of citizens from the country.
In response to this crisis, the Russian government has introduced a variety of measures, including financial incentives and housing support. These are meant to encourage families to have more children. However, despite these efforts, Russia’s birth rate remains stubbornly low, and the government’s initiatives have not had the desired impact.
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The government’s response to the demographic crisis has faced criticism. Experts argue that the policies lack long-term planning and do not address the root causes of the population decline. Critics contend that simply offering financial incentives without solving underlying issues such as emigration and high mortality may not be enough to reverse the trend.
Russia’s demographic challenges are not unique. Countries like China and Japan are also grappling with low birth rates. These nations have introduced their own set of policies in an effort to boost fertility rates and address the growing concern of an aging population. However, like Russia, these efforts have met with limited success so far.
In conclusion, Karelia’s new incentive is part of Russia’s broader effort to reverse its population decline, but whether it will yield long-term success remains to be seen.
