ABERYSTWYTH, United Kingdom: In some components of Russia, schoolgirls who grow to be pregnant are being paid greater than 100,000 roubles (about US$1,270) for giving delivery and elevating their infants.
This new measure, launched previously few months throughout 10 areas, is a part of Russia’s new demographic technique, widening the coverage adopted in March which solely utilized to grownup ladies. It’s designed to handle the dramatic decline within the nation’s birthrate.
In 2023, the variety of births in Russia per girl was 1.41 – considerably beneath 2.05, which is the extent required to take care of a inhabitants at its present dimension.
Paying teenage women to have infants whereas they’re nonetheless at school is controversial in Russia. In line with a latest survey by the Russian Public Opinion Analysis Centre, 43 per cent of Russians approve of the coverage, whereas 40 per cent are against it. But it surely signifies the excessive precedence that the state locations on rising the variety of kids being born.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin regards a big inhabitants as one of many markers of a flourishing nice energy, together with management over an enormous (and rising) territory and a strong navy. Paradoxically, although, his efforts to extend the bodily dimension of Russia by attacking Ukraine and illegally annexing its territory have additionally been disastrous when it comes to shrinking Russia’s inhabitants.
