For over 25 years, President Vladimir Putin has grappled with Russia’s demographic crisis marked by a shrinking and aging population. Despite initial gains in birth rates during economic upturns, recent years have seen a decline in births, with deaths now outpacing births. Factors such as economic instability, the war in Ukraine, emigration of young people, and opposition to immigration have exacerbated the problem. The government has launched various pro-natalist initiatives, including financial incentives, symbolic holidays, and promoting “traditional family values,” while also restricting abortion access and outlawing LGBTQ+ activism in an effort to boost birth rates.

However, these measures face significant challenges due to Russia’s harsh demographic history, including the loss of millions of men in World War II and a smaller cohort of women of childbearing age. The ongoing war and economic uncertainty further discourage family growth, with many young Russians emigrating or avoiding parenthood. Critics argue that restrictive policies on abortion and immigration may harm women’s health and fail to address the root causes of the demographic decline. Ultimately, without stability and confidence in the future, experts believe Russia’s population decline will continue despite government efforts.