Russian deputies adopted a law on Tuesday banning the promotion of a child-free lifestyle, against a backdrop of demographic crisis amplified by the conflict in Ukraine and the Kremlin's defense of “traditional values”.
“Protect our young people”
Natural persons accused of engaging in this promotion of a child-free lifestyle, in the media, films, advertisements, would risk heavy fines: a fine of 400,000 rubles (around 4,000 euros), civil servants the double, while for legal entities the sanction could be increased to 5 million rubles (47,000 euros). The text must still be validated by the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin.
“We are adopting this bill to protect our young people from unnecessary ideologies,” commented Nina Ostanina, chair of the family policy committee in the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.
Demographic issue
In addition to the defense of so-called “traditional” values, the text intends to remedy the deep demographic crisis in Russia, inherited from the Soviet era, but which the authorities have never managed to stop despite pronatalist measures which have not had the expected effects. In 2023, the fertility rate in Russia was 1.41 children per woman of childbearing age, according to initial estimates from the Russian statistics agency (Rosstat), cited by the economic daily RBC. In July, the Kremlin recognized a “catastrophic” situation for the future of the nation.
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