A recent survey indicates a significant shift in attitudes among young Russians regarding parenthood. The survey, conducted by VTsIOM, reveals that 20% of respondents aged 18-24 believe having children is not mandatory for a family, a stark contrast to the 3% who held the same view in 2014.

Despite this evolving perspective, more Russians are now considering three children as the ideal family size, with 39% favoring this number compared to 28% a decade ago. According to survey responses, the primary motivations for having children are to strengthen the family and foster love, while financial concerns and self-centeredness are cited as deterrents.

During the SPIEF session dedicated to demographic policy, participants explored various strategies to encourage larger families. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, Anna Kuznetsova, argued that young people are not inherently against having children but are simply delaying parenthood until they feel more prepared. She believes that Russia possesses a greater potential for large families than any other country, attributing the declining birth rate to external factors and the erosion of traditional values by liberal ideology.

Kuznetsova advocated for enhanced infrastructure, increased state support for each subsequent child, and the promotion of traditional values within society. The discussion also touched on abortion rates, which have reportedly halved in the last decade, with 23 regions introducing liability for doctors who induce abortions.

Georgy Filimonov, Governor of the Vologda region, highlighted his region’s alarming population decline, citing a rate of 3.4% compared to the national average of 1.1%. He attributed this decline to a decrease in women of fertile age and emphasized the drastic reduction in abortions within the region following strict measures. Filimonov’s administration has implemented various initiatives to address the demographic crisis, including restricting alcohol sales, banning vapes, and supporting sports and large families.

Artem Zdunov, Head of Mordovia, shared his region’s approach of preparing girls for motherhood from a young age through role-playing games. He emphasized the importance of instilling the idea that women are preparing to become mothers, not just workers, starting from kindergarten.