Russia has joined global efforts to combat declining birth rates by introducing a new financial incentive for young women. Female students under the age of 25 in the Karelia region will receive a one-time payment of 100,000 rubles (approximately ₹81,000) for giving birth to a healthy baby.

This initiative is part of Russia’s broader strategy to reverse its population decline, which has reached historic lows.

The new policy is aimed at 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 eligibility for mothers of children with disabilities or those affected by sudden infant death syndrome. The policy also does not specify whether additional support will be provided for childcare or postpartum recovery.

Russia’s birth rate has hit a 25-year low, with just 599,600 children born in the first half of 2024, 16,000 fewer than in the same period in 2023. The Kremlin has described the situation as “catastrophic for the nation’s future” .

The Karelia program is one of many initiatives underway in Russia. Cities like Tomsk and 11 other regional governments have launched similar incentives for young mothers. Nationally, maternity payments will 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 exacerbated the crisis. Critics argue that the government’s incentives do not address the root causes, including economic instability, access to health care and societal concerns about raising children in today’s environment.