A REGION IN RUSSIA ANNOUNCED A SCHEME TO PAY FEMALE STUDENTS UNDER 25 MONEY FOR GIVING BIRTH TO A HEALTHY BABY. (PHOTO).
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A region in Russia, Karelia, has announced a scheme to pay female students under 25 years old 100,000 rubles (around Rs 81,000) for giving birth to a healthy baby, according to The Moscow Times.
The policy, set to take effect from January 1, is aimed at tackling Russia’s declining birth rate. To qualify, the mother must be a full-time student at a local university or college, under 25 years old, and a resident of Karelia.
The law specifies that mothers of stillborn babies will not be eligible for the payment, but it remains unclear if the policy applies in cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or to mothers of children with disabilities. The policy also does not address whether additional support will be provided for childcare costs or postpartum recovery, raising questions about its long-term effectiveness.
Karelia is one of at least 11 regions in Russia offering financial incentives to female students for having children. However, experts have criticized the move as a short-sighted solution, citing the lack of economic stability and proper protections for new mothers. Russia recorded its lowest birth rate in 25 years during the first half of 2024, with only 599,600 children born, a drop of 16,000 compared to 2023.
Russia’s population has been steadily declining since the 1990s, dropping from 148 million to approximately 146 million today. The United Nations predicts that it could shrink further to between 74 million and 112 million by 2100. The Kremlin has expressed deep concern over this trend, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling it “catastrophic for the nation’s future.”
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