Russia to Refer Women Who Do Not Want Children to Psychologists Under New Health Guidelines
Russia will refer women who do not wish to have children to psychologists as part of new health guidelines designed to tackle a systemic demographic crisis. The country's dwindling birth rate has been a primary concern for President Vladimir Putin during his 25-year rule, and with Moscow having deployed hundreds of thousands of young men to the front lines in Ukraine over the past four years, the issue has only intensified.
New Reproductive Health Checks and Psychological Consultations
Under the updated guidelines from the health ministry for reproductive health checks, doctors will inquire with women about their desired number of children. If a woman responds with zero, it is recommended that the patient be sent for a consultation with a medical psychologist. The objective is to foster a positive attitude towards having children, as outlined in the official recommendations.
Approval and Media Coverage of the Recommendations
The recommendations were formally approved in late February but only gained widespread attention this week after being highlighted by state media. This move underscores the Kremlin's framing of Russia's shrinking population as a critical matter of national survival. In 2024, Putin warned that Russia faced potential "extinction" if it failed to increase birth rates, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Current Birth Rate Statistics and Government Measures
Russia's birth rate currently stands at a 200-year low, approximately 1.4 children per woman, which is significantly below the 2.1 rate demographers consider necessary for maintaining a stable population. In response, Moscow has implemented several measures in recent years, including tightening abortion regulations and passing legislation to outlaw so-called "child-free propaganda." Additionally, large families are celebrated as national heroes and receive a range of financial and social benefits from the state to encourage higher birth rates.
