MOSCOW: Russia has introduced new health guidelines requiring women who do not wish to have children to be referred to psychologists. The measure aims to address the country’s worsening demographic crisis.
Under the guidelines, doctors will ask women during reproductive health checks how many children they plan to have. If a woman responds with zero, she is recommended to consult a medical psychologist. The goal is to promote a positive attitude toward having children.
The new guidelines were approved in late February by Russia’s health ministry but were recently highlighted by state media. Authorities describe the move as part of a broader effort to increase birth rates and support family growth.
Russia’s population has been shrinking steadily, with the birth rate at a 200-year low of 1.4 children per woman. Experts note this is far below the 2.1 required for a stable population. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called the issue a matter of national survival, warning in 2024 that Russia faces “extinction” without population growth.
In recent years, Russia has also tightened abortion laws and banned “child-free propaganda,” further emphasizing the state’s push for larger families. Women with multiple children are celebrated as national heroes and receive various financial and social benefits from the government.
The policy comes amid demographic pressures worsened by Moscow’s military engagement in Ukraine. Sending hundreds of thousands of young men to the front has contributed to the declining population, raising concerns over long-term national stability.
Analysts say Russia’s approach reflects deep state involvement in family planning and population policy. While controversial, authorities argue the measures are necessary to prevent economic and social challenges linked to a shrinking workforce and aging population.
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Russia’s new guidelines highlight the government’s priority: ensuring population growth through incentives, legal measures, and psychological interventions. The effectiveness of these policies will be closely watched in the coming years.
