the demographic dip

the birth rate in russia has been a growing concern for the kremlin, with recent data indicating a notable drop. the number of live births fell under 100,000 in june of 2024, a figure that has prompted serious discussions in moscow [[3]]. this decline is part of a larger trend, with russia recording its lowest birth rate as 1999 in the first six months of 2024 [[1]].

financial incentives for families

in an effort to reverse this trend, the russian government has introduced several financial incentives for families. these measures are designed to alleviate some of the economic pressures associated with raising children.

• first child support: starting this year, families receive a one-off payment of 677,000 roubles (approximately $7,300 usd) upon the birth of their first child.
• second child support: families welcoming a second child, who have not previously received support, are eligible for 894,000 roubles (about $9,670 usd).
• mortgage benefits: families with children can access mortgage loans with a reduced interest rate of 6 percent, significantly lower than the standard rate.

these incentives aim to make it more financially feasible for families to have children, addressing concerns raised by citizens like yulia, who stated: i would like to have three or more.many girls want to have children, but the problem is with the tough living situation, apartments and so on, not big enough in size and the money issue.

citizen perspectives

the effectiveness of these measures is a subject of debate among russian citizens. while some see them as a positive step, others believe more needs to be done to address the underlying challenges.

it’s a very good start, maybe it’s not enough as prices are higher every day. it’s more stable to have big families here than anywhere else; now we feel more confident.

daria,moscow citizen

however,not all citizens are convinced. kate, another moscow resident, expressed concerns about a proposal to incentivize childbirth among students:

i don’t think it’s healthy to give more points to students, they’re obviously not mature enough.

kate,moscow citizen

supporting working families

the government is also encouraging companies to adopt family-friendly policies,such as flexible working hours. anna molchanova, who runs a skincare company, has found that employees with young families are more loyal and motivated when given the versatility to care for their children.

molchanova’s company, where 70 percent of the workforce is female and half are mothers, exemplifies this approach. she noted that 10 percent of her employees have at least three children, highlighting the potential benefits of supporting working families.

long-term strategy

the russian government is committed to addressing the demographic challenge through a long-term strategy. last month, it extended its action plan for family and demographic policy until 2036. this strategy includes:

• enhancing healthcare support
• improving education in remote areas

these initiatives aim to create a more supportive surroundings for families across the country.

faq: russia’s birth rate incentives

how much is the one-off payment for a first child?

677,000 roubles (approximately $7,300 usd).

how much is the one-off payment for a second child?

894,000 roubles (about $9,670 usd), if no previous support was received.

what is the mortgage interest rate for families with children?

6 percent.

what is the goal of the government’s demographic policy?

to increase the birth rate and support families through financial incentives and improved services.