Russians encouraged to have sex during work breaks amidst declining birth rate

In an effort to combat Russia’s plummeting birth rate, President Vladimir Putin is reportedly urging citizens to use their work breaks for intimate relations.

According to Metro, with the country’s fertility rate hovering around 1.5 children per woman, well below the 2.1 needed to maintain population levels, this initiative aims to address a growing demographic concern.

The situation is worsened by the exodus of over a million younger Russians due to the ongoing war with Ukraine.

Health Minister Dr. Yevgeny Shestopalov stressed that work demands are not an excuse for delaying family growth, suggesting that couples use their lunch and coffee breaks to focus on having children. When questioned about how workers with 12 to 14-hour shifts could find time, he reiterated the importance of utilizing break periods for this purpose.

Putin has long emphasized the importance of population growth, stating that "the preservation of the Russian people is our highest national priority."

The country’s birth rate recently hit its lowest point since 1999, with fewer than 100,000 live births recorded in June. Government data reveals that 16,000 fewer children were born in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, while deaths have increased by 18%, a trend exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine.

To tackle the crisis, the Russian government has implemented several measures, including:

Free fertility checks: Women in Moscow, aged 18-40, can receive free fertility assessments to determine their reproductive health.

Employer pressure: A proposal by MP Tatyana Butskaya aims to encourage employers to support their female employees in having children.

Financial incentives: In the Chelyabinsk region, female students under 24 are offered £8,500 for the birth of their first child.

Abortion restrictions: Access to abortion is being curtailed, with public figures and religious leaders urging women to prioritize childbirth.

Increased divorce fees: Higher costs for divorce are intended to deter separations.

Politician Anna Kuznetsova has also advocated for women to begin having children in their early twenties, arguing that this would allow families to have more children.

However, critics warn that these policies may infringe on individual freedoms and disproportionately affect women, potentially leading to broader social challenges in Russia.