- Russia's fertility rate of just 1.5 children per woman, significantly below the 2.1 replacement rate, required to maintain population stability has caused serious concerns.
Russian President Vlamadir Putin has urged citizens to have sex at work in an effort to boost the declining birth rate. This statement follows his appeal last December for Russian women to consider having as many as eight children, promoting the idea of large families as a societal norm.
President Putin proposed coitus at work, especially during lunch and coffee breaks, in an attempt to reverse the situation.
Currently, the country's fertility rate stands at just 1.5 children per woman, significantly below the 2.1 replacement rate needed to maintain population stability.
The root causes of this decline remain unclear, but reports indicate that over one million, primarily younger Russians, have left the country since Putin's invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
While supporting the president’s recommendation, the Health Minister for Russia, Dr Yevgeny Shestopalov echoed that being occupied by work is not a reason for declined procreation therefore refuting the claims by younger population that they are overwhelmed by work.
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"Being very busy at work is not a valid reason, but a lame excuse. You can engage in procreation during breaks because life flies by too quickly,” said Shestopalov.
While many believe that a lack of free time contributes to the issue, factors such as economic uncertainty, shifting social norms, healthcare challenges, and an aging population are likely influencing the situation.
The implications are concerning, as Russia faces risks related to an aging population, labor shortages, economic decline, increased immigration, and regional imbalances, raising the urgency of the crisis.
