The survey showed that almost half of Russian women do not want to give birth in the next five years

Experts suggest saving the country from a demographic hole with “fatherly” capital and limiting the sale of chips

Only 29% of Russian women are ready to have children in the next five years. Such depressing statistics are provided by VTsIOM. According to surveys, 48% of Russian women are concerned about the prospects of having children during this period. Experts from the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation proposed a set of measures that should boost the birth rate – from paternal capital of a million rubles and preferential places in universities for children from large families to the introduction of restrictions on advertising of soda and snacks.

Demographers are sounding the alarm: in January – August 2023, 850,187 children were born in Russia, which is 22,166 babies less than the same period in 2022. The country is sliding into a new demographic hole: by last year, the number of births had dropped to 1.3 million children. The total fertility rate has become equal to 1.42 children per woman, emphasized Sergei Rybalchenko, chairman of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation commission on demography and protection of families and children.

According to him, in 2022, the lowest number of children in the 21st century was born in Russia – 1,306,162. In 2023, the birth rate continues to decline.

VTsIOM Director for Government Relations Kirill Rodin stated that, according to the results of the study, Russians put health and self-realization in the first place, not family.

Mostly residents of rural areas and urban-type settlements are ready to give birth to three or more children, Rodin said. Such, according to VTsIOM, is 33% of respondents. 39% of Russians agree to have two children. On average, 28% of people in the country are ready to meet the level of large families with three children. Only 9% of respondents agree on four children. The only good news is that sociologists found only 7% of convinced “childfree” people.

Women are verbally more willing to think about adding to their family. However, it is worth asking a more specific question: “Are you ready to have a baby in the next five years?” – how the picture changes dramatically.

Only 29% of women want to have children in the next five years. Another 48% do not plan to become pregnant or express cautious concerns about this, said Kirill Rodin.

Experts have calculated that the most pressing problem now is to convince 35-45-year-old Russians to have children. There are currently the most people in this age category in Russia. There are fewer younger ones – they were born during the demographic hole of the 90s.

To motivate citizens to give birth, the authors of the report on the state of demography proposed a set of measures. For example, extend until 2030 the law on state support measures for families with children in terms of repaying mortgages for large families.

As an alternative, it is proposed to introduce “father’s” capital for large families in the amount of 1 million rubles.

Experts also suggest expanding the options for where to spend. For example, for the purchase of a Russian-made family car or commercial rental housing for families who are in line to improve their living conditions, as well as monthly expenses for children. But if this measure is introduced, it will only be available to families with low incomes. In this case, spending may be limited to the minimum subsistence level.

In addition, it is proposed to introduce a preferential education program for children from large families in colleges and universities.

At the same time, social activists decided to take care of the health of future parents. For this, as the authors of the report assure, new restrictions are needed. First of all, for alcohol: limit the spatial availability of alcohol to the level of one point of sale per 5 thousand people (currently about one point per 360 people), prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages with an ethanol content of more than 15% in departments of stores that are not isolated from other departments and not having a separate entrance from the street.

Switching Russians to proper nutrition will also force them to either give birth or live longer, experts are sure. To achieve this, it is proposed to introduce additional taxation on chocolate bars, chips, crackers and soda, as well as limit their advertising.