In light of rapidly declining birth rates, the Russian parliament recently initiated legislation to ban the promotion of choosing not to have children. On October 17, lawmakers passed this proposal in its first reading, reflecting growing concerns over the nation’s demographic crisis.
Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma and a close ally of President Putin, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the population, particularly the younger generation, from what he described as harmful ideologies propagated through the internet, media, films, and advertisements. “It is crucial to construct a unified legislative framework that protects children, families, and traditional values,” he stated.
The urgency of this issue has intensified since official data revealed Russia’s birth rate has hit its lowest point in 25 years. Compounding this demographic challenge, Russia is also experiencing a rising death rate, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While Moscow keeps its military casualty figures under wraps, a joint investigation by BBC Russian and the independent news outlet Mediazona has confirmed at least 72,899 Russian soldiers have been killed as of October 10.
Earlier this month, Anna Kuznetsova, Deputy Speaker of the Duma, remarked that the law banning anti-natalist propaganda is part of Russia’s “national security strategy.” Offending content creators could face serious penalties, with fines reaching up to 400,000 rubles (approximately $4,100) for individuals, double that for officials, and up to 5 million rubles (around $50,000) for organizations.
In a recent op-ed for the Kyiv Post, U.S. political strategist Jason Jay Smart pointed out a stark contradiction: despite official claims of a booming economy—boasting a 4.6% GDP growth rate in the first half of 2024—real inflation in Russia stands at a staggering 27%. He predicted that in just three months, many Russians might see half of their income effectively vanish due to the plummeting ruble.
Smart attributed this inflationary surge to the extensive sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, alongside reckless money printing that has created an economic bubble poised to burst.
Moreover, another significant threat looms: the devaluation of the ruble. According to economist Igor Lipsits, if oil prices drop to $50 a barrel, the exchange rate could require 122 to 135 rubles to buy one dollar, a substantial increase from the current rate of 100 rubles per dollar as of October 17.
Smart cautioned that if the ruble depreciates by another 30% combined with existing inflation, ordinary Russians could see half their income disappear in mere months, leading to dire consequences for the populace. Notably, recent data reveals that Russians typically allocate around 50% of their income to food, compared to an average of just 15% in Europe. This poses a significant challenge for many citizens, particularly elderly individuals relying on pensions, making the prospect of affording basic necessities even more daunting.
