'Make Babies During Work Break': Russia's Solution For Birth Rate Dip?

Russian President Vladimir Putin's government reportedly advised people to have sex at work during breaks to tackle the country's declining birth rate. This directive comes as the current fertility rate in the country stands at approximately 1.5 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed for population stability, a report in Metro said. The population crisis was exacerbated by the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, amid which several Russians, mostly young, have fled the country. 

What Is Russia's Solution For Birth Rate Dip?

Russian Health Minister Dr Yevgeny Shestopalov echoed President Putin's message, stating that work should not have to be an obstacle for people to expand their families. "Being very busy at work is not a valid reason, but a lame excuse," he reportedly said.

When asked about the people who work long hours, Shestopalov urged them to use their lunch and coffee breaks to procreate. "Make babies during break times. You can engage in procreation during breaks because life flies by too quickly," he told Metro. 

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This is one among the several eyebrow-raising measures proposed by Russia to improve the fertility rate. At the beginning of 2024, the country witnessed the lowest-ever birth rate in 25 years. In June, births in Russia dropped below 1 lakh for the first time.

"This is catastrophic for the future of the nation," The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in July, according to Agence France-Presse. "The birth rate is now at a terribly low level — 1.4 births. This is comparable to European countries, Japan, and so on."

In the Chelyabinsk region, women under the age of 24 are offered a payment of 102 thousand Rubles (₹9.40 lakh) upon the birth of their first child. In Moscow, the government urged women between 18-40 years old to undergo free fertility screenings.

Russia has also controlled abortion rights, with public figures and religious leaders advocating that a woman's primary responsibility is to bear children and make large families a norm. Additionally, fees for divorce have also been increased, according to reports.