Paying schoolgirls for child: Russia gives financial incentives for adolescent mothers- part of trend worldwide
News agency PTI reported that with the decline of the country, many areas of Russia have started paying pregnant schoolgirls of over 100,000 rubles (about £ 900) in many areas of Russia. Recently extended initiatives in ten regions are part of a comprehensive demographic strategy with the aim of reversing the country’s declining date of birth.The scheme is made on the policy launched in March 2025 which is initially applicable to adult women. In 2023, with Russia’s fertility rate at only 1.41 births per woman- the government is now widening its approach- below 2.05 required to maintain population levels.Public opinion is divided. A survey by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center, as reported by PTI, found that 43% of Russians have supported the policy, while 40% oppose it. Critics argue that encouraging adolescent pregnancies enhances moral concerns, while supporters see it as an essential step to decline in population.President Vladimir Putin has made population growth a national priority, which is the same with military power and regional expansion. However, the ongoing war in Ukraine has spoiled demographic challenges. Estimated 250,000 Russian soldiers have died in the conflict, and hundreds of thousands of young, educated men have fled the country, many of whom could be future father.Along with financial encouragement, the Russian government has put moral pressure. It has re-presented the mother-in-law medal of Stalin-era for women with ten or more children, banning promoting childlessness (“child-free publicity”), and restrictions on abortion in private clinics. Public criticism has increased against women who delay or survive in favor of education or career.Cash, citizenship and children: a worldwide trendRussia’s demographic concerns reflect a global tendency. By 2050, more than 75% of countries are expected to face a decline in population due to low fertility rates. In response, many governments have adopted pronounced policies.In the US, President Donald Trump has proposed to pay $ 5,000 to women to give a wide push to encourage large families supported by data such as Elon Musk.Hungary provides tax break and subsidized mortgage to families with three or more children. Poland provides family with 500 złoty (£ 101) per child for the second child.However, the effectiveness of such policies has been added. For example, in Poland, women with high-ordered are less likely to respond to financial incentives due to concerns over career failures. Adopting a separate approach, Spain has addressed a decline in population by reducing the route for citizenship for migrants, especially from Latin American countries.
‘Desirable’ and shape to society
Critics argue that many pronounced policies are more sized by ideology than economics. Governments often aim to encourage births between groups that are ‘desirable’ based on breed, religion or socio-economic status, reported PTI.Hungarian benefits are limited to heterosexual, high -income joints, while Spain has favored Spanish -speaking Catholic migrants on African applicants.Globally, these efforts often include efforts to influence women’s personal options. Created as an economic requirement, many of these policies carry deep political agendas – by encouraging delivery among selected groups and implementing obstacles on fertility of women, molding the future population.
