Russia attempts to increase the birth rate by outlawing "child-free propaganda."

Reuters, Moscow, November 12 In an attempt to increase a declining birth rate, Russia's lower chamber of parliament overwhelmingly decided on Tuesday to outlaw what officials described as harmful promotion promoting a childless lifestyle.According to official data issued in September, while Moscow's war in Ukraine continues, the birth rate is at its lowest level in 25 years, while mortality rates are rising. The numbers were deemed "catastrophic for the future of the nation" by the Kremlin.In order to safeguard the future of Russians, President Vladimir Putin, who has portrayed Russia as a bulwark of "traditional values" engaged in an existential conflict with a corrupt West, has urged women to have at least three children. Financial and other incentives are already in place.

The law, which is anticipated to be swiftly approved by Putin and the upper house of parliament, joins other restrictions on free expression, such as a ban on dissenting accounts of the conflict in Ukraine and on content that is thought to encourage "non-traditional lifestyles" like same-sex relationships or gender fluidity.Individuals who create "child-free propaganda" might face fines of up to 400,000 roubles ($4,100), officials twice that amount, and legal entities up to 5 million roubles ($51,000). In the first half of 2024, Russia had 599,600 births, the fewest since 1999 and 16,000 fewer than in the first half of 2023. The death toll increased by 49,000. Immigration, however, increased by 20%.