Society

The Russian government is seriously considering increasing financial support for newborns as the country faces a sharp decline in birth rates, according to Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov.

Starting in 2025, women giving birth to their first child will receive 677,000 rubles (around 7,000 dollars), the minister announced. For mothers having a second child, the amount will rise to 894,000 rubles (over 9,000 dollars).

The Ministry of Labor estimates that around one million women will benefit from these payments starting next year. An initial budget proposal has already been presented to parliament.

However, several experts have criticized the maternal financial aid program, arguing that the amounts offered are insufficient and unlikely to encourage women to have more children.

The program was originally set to end in 2026, but Vladimir Putin has extended it until 2030, the year of the next presidential election.

(QG - Source : Moscow Times / Picture: © Unsplash)