Russia will begin referring women who do not want to have children to psychologists under new health guidelines aimed at addressing the country’s deepening demographic crisis.
The policy comes as declining birth rates remain a major concern for President Vladimir Putin, particularly after years of conflict that have seen hundreds of thousands of young men deployed to the фронт in Ukraine, further worsening population challenges.
Under the new reproductive health guidelines issued by the Russian Health Ministry, doctors will ask women about their desired number of children during routine check-ups. If a woman indicates she does not want children, medical professionals are advised to refer her to a psychologist for consultation aimed at encouraging a more positive outlook on childbirth.
Although the recommendations were approved in late February, they only gained wider attention after being reported by state media this week.
The Kremlin has repeatedly framed Russia’s shrinking population as a matter of national survival. In 2024, Putin warned the country could face “extinction” if birth rates do not improve.
Russia’s fertility rate currently stands at around 1.4 children per woman—well below the 2.1 level considered necessary to maintain a stable population.
In recent years, authorities have introduced stricter abortion regulations and passed laws banning so-called “child-free propaganda,” while promoting large families as a national priority. Families with multiple children are increasingly recognized as national role models and receive financial incentives and social benefits from the state.
