Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly suggested that Russians use their lunch and coffee breaks to engage in parenting as part of efforts to tackle the country’s declining birth rate. According to Metro, the directive comes at a time when Russia has a birth rate of 1.5 children per woman, well below the 2.1 children per woman needed to stabilize the population.
The country’s population has also seen a decline due to the ongoing war with Ukraine, which has resulted in the displacement of more than a million Russians, especially young people.
Russian Health Minister Dr. Yevgeny Shestopalov also echoed Putin’s sentiments, stressing that work should not be a barrier to childbearing. He encouraged Russians to take advantage of their lunch and coffee breaks for family expansion. “Being too busy at work is not a good reason, but a cheap excuse. “You can engage in parenting during breaks because life goes by very quickly,” Shestopalov said.
When asked about the usefulness of the proposal for long-term workers, Schistopalov stressed the importance of using every available opportunity, saying, “Have children at break times.
Vladimir Putin's got a unique approach to boosting Russia's birth rate#Russia #VladimirPutin #Workplace
READ: https://t.co/PgXWx4JEGZ pic.twitter.com/JYZlzWS7aN
— WION (@WIONews) September 17, 2024In addition to these extraordinary recommendations, the Kremlin has implemented a number of measures aimed at increasing birth rates. In Moscow, women between the ages of 18 and 40 are encouraged to undergo free fertility screenings to assess their reproductive health.
Other strategies include limiting access to abortion, with public figures and religious leaders advocating for women to prioritize motherhood. Additionally, divorce fees have been increased as part of efforts to strengthen the family structure.
Russia’s birth rate fell to a 25-year low in the first half of 2024. Official figures released earlier this month show that births fell below 100,000 for the first time in June. A total of 599,600 babies were born in Russia between January and June 2024, a decrease of 16,000 compared to the same period in 2023.