Russia is paying schoolgirls to have babies. Why is pronatalism on rise around world?
Russia is paying schoolgirls to have babies. Why is pronatalism on rise around world?
WALES: (Jul 5) In parts of Russia, pregnant schoolgirls are now being offered over 100,000 roubles (approximately £900) as an incentive to give birth and raise their children, under a newly expanded government initiative.
The scheme, rolled out in recent months across ten regions, is part of Russia’s broader demographic strategy aimed at countering the country’s steep population decline. Initially introduced in March 2025 for adult women, the policy has since been extended to include minors.
Russia’s birthrate remains significantly below replacement level, with just 1.41 births per woman recorded in 2023—far short of the 2.05 needed to sustain current population levels.
