Russia has joined global efforts to combat falling birth rates by introducing a new financial incentive for young women. Female students under the age of 25 from the Karelia region will receive a one-time payment of 100,000 rubles (around ₹81,000) for giving birth to a healthy baby.
The move is part of Russia’s broader strategy to reverse its population decline, which has reached historic lows.
The new policy targets female students enrolled full-time at local universities or colleges in Karelia. However, it excludes mothers who give birth to stillborn children and raises questions about the eligibility of mothers of children with disabilities or sudden infant death syndrome. The policy also does not specify whether additional support will be provided for child care or postpartum recovery.
Russia’s birth rate has reached a 25-year low, with just 599,600 children born in the first half of 2024, 16,000 fewer than the same period in 2023. The Kremlin has called the situation “catastrophic for the future of the nation.
The Karelia program is one of several initiatives across Russia. Cities like Tomsk and 11 other regional governments have launched similar incentives for young mothers. Nationally, maternity benefits are expected to increase in 2025, with first-time mothers receiving 677,000 rubles (about $6,150) and second-time mothers 894,000 rubles (about $8,130).
Despite these measures, Russia’s demographic challenges persist. High adult mortality, emigration and the war in Ukraine have worsened the crisis. Critics argue that government incentives fail to address root causes, such as economic instability, access to health care and societal concerns about children’s education in the current environment.
