Russian authorities have unveiled new health guidelines requiring women who express no desire to have children to be referred for psychological counseling, as the country intensifies efforts to reverse its declining birth rate.
Under the updated reproductive health framework issued by the Ministry of Health, doctors will now ask women about their preferred number of children during routine checkups. If a patient indicates zero, medical professionals are advised to recommend a consultation with a psychologist aimed at encouraging a more positive outlook on parenthood.
The policy comes amid mounting concern within the Kremlin over Russia’s worsening demographic crisis, which has been a longstanding issue during President Vladimir Putin’s tenure. The situation has been further strained by the ongoing war in Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of young men have been deployed over the past four years.
Russia’s fertility rate currently stands at approximately 1.4 children per woman — significantly below the 2.1 replacement level required to maintain a stable population. Officials have increasingly framed the population decline as a threat to national survival, with Putin warning in 2024 that the country could face “extinction” if the trend continues.
In response, the government has rolled out a series of pro-natalist measures in recent years. These include tightening abortion regulations, banning what it describes as “child-free propaganda,” and promoting large families through financial incentives and social benefits.
The latest directive reflects a broader push by Russian authorities to influence reproductive choices and encourage higher birth rates as part of a long-term strategy to stabilize the population.
