Russia’s Controversial Policy: Paying Teenage Girls to Have Babies
In an unprecedented effort to combat its descending birth rate, certain Russian regions have started offering teenage girls over 100,000 roubles (approximately £900) as an incentive to have and raise children. This move, recently expanded to ten regions, marks a shift from earlier 2025 pronatalist policies previously aimed solely at adult women.
The Demographic Challenge Facing Russia
Russia’s fertility rate plummeted to just 1.41 births per woman in 2023, far below the replacement level of 2.05 necessary to maintain population stability. The government’s aggressive promotion of childbirth, including controversial incentives for teenagers, reflects its acute concern over this demographic decline.
A national poll reveals a nation divided on the issue: 43% support the teenage baby bonus, while 40% oppose it, highlighting the societal tension around this policy.
Geopolitical Ambitions and Demographic Realities
President Vladimir Putin sees population size as intertwined with national strength, equating a robust citizenry with military power and geopolitical clout. Yet, ironically, the ongoing war in Ukraine—partially aimed at territorial expansion—has worsened Russia’s demographic crisis.
Estimates suggest that 250,000 Russian soldiers have died in the conflict, while hundreds of thousands of young, educated Russians have emigrated to avoid military service. These losses represent not only a human toll but also a significant blow to potential future parents.
The Global Fertility Decline: A Broader Trend
Russia’s issues are far from unique. Worldwide, fertility rates are dropping, and projections indicate that by 2050, over three-quarters of countries may experience birth rates too low to sustain their populations.
Governments from Hungary to Poland and the United States have introduced measures to encourage higher birth rates:
- Hungary offers tax breaks and subsidized mortgages for families with three or more children.
- Poland provides a monthly payment of 500 złoty (£101) per child for families with two or more children.
- The U.S., under a recent proposal, suggests a one-time payment of US$5,000 (£3,682) to women who have babies.
However, experts caution that such incentives often fail to boost birth rates significantly, especially among higher-income women who might face career trade-offs.
Why Money Alone Won’t Solve the Problem
Decisions about parenthood are deeply personal and affected by myriad factors beyond financial rewards. These include:
- Personal ambitions and life goals
- Economic stability and job security
- Cultural and societal norms
- Religious and ideological influences
Thus, the success of pronatalist policies varies widely, with no simple formula emerging globally to reverse declining birth rates.
An Alternative Approach: Immigration and Population Growth
Some nations, like Spain, have responded to demographic challenges by easing citizenship pathways for immigrants, including those who entered illegally. This more inclusive approach is linked to economic growth and social vitality, offering a contrasting strategy to direct birth incentives.
Who Benefits? The Ideological Angle Behind Pronatalist Policies
Pronatalist incentives are often targeted not just at increasing population numbers but at encouraging reproduction among specific demographics deemed desirable by governments. This includes preferences based on race, ethnicity, language, religion, or sexual orientation.
For example, Spain prioritizes immigrants from Spanish-speaking, predominantly Catholic Latin American countries, while Hungary restricts its family benefits to heterosexual, high-income couples. In the U.S., policies promoting larger families coexist with efforts to limit undocumented immigration and even restrict citizenship rights.
Celebrating Motherhood or Restricting Choices?
To promote childbirth, some governments combine monetary incentives with public recognition. Russia has revived the Soviet-era motherhood medal awarded to women with ten or more children, celebrating large families as patriotic acts.
Simultaneously, there is growing social pressure against women who delay or opt out of motherhood. In 2024, Russia passed a law banning the promotion of childlessness, alongside increasing restrictions on abortion and public criticism of women pursuing higher education and careers over family life.
The Complex Intersection of Demography, Policy, and Personal Freedom
Ultimately, efforts to tackle the fertility crisis reveal tensions between state interests and individual choice. While some nations prioritize expanding their populations through incentives or immigration, many struggle with balancing these goals against respect for personal autonomy, especially for women.
The global fertility challenge calls for nuanced strategies that address economic, cultural, and social realities—far beyond simply paying citizens to have more children.