In a move that has sparked intense national and international debate, Russian President Vladimir Putin has unveiled a controversial new incentive aimed at tackling the country’s long-standing population crisis. As part of a broader demographic revitalization plan, the Russian government has announced that college-going female students who become pregnant will receive a financial reward equivalent to ₹1 lakh.
This unprecedented initiative is part of the Kremlin’s ongoing efforts to reverse Russia’s declining birth rate, which has been exacerbated by a combination of economic instability, increasing emigration, the COVID-19 aftermath, and the prolonged geopolitical isolation due to the Ukraine conflict. According to Russian federal statistics, the country’s population has shrunk by nearly 2 million people over the past five years—a trend that the government views as a national security threat.
A Unique Step Toward Population Growth
The newly announced reward system applies specifically to young female students enrolled in universities and technical institutes. Those who become pregnant during their course of study will be eligible for the cash bonus, provided they carry the pregnancy to full term.
“President Putin strongly believes that the future of Russia lies in the hands of our youth. We must create an environment that encourages early family formation while supporting young women academically, socially, and economically.”
The incentive is expected to be launched as a pilot program in selected regions of Russia beginning September 2025, with the possibility of national expansion based on its results.
Mixed Reactions Across Society
The announcement has generated a wave of reactions, ranging from praise to outrage. Supporters hail the initiative as a bold and necessary step toward reversing demographic decline, arguing that financial incentives could remove the economic barriers that often delay family planning among young couples.
sociologist at Moscow State University Dr. Natalia Smirnova
“We must acknowledge that Russia’s fertility rate is one of the lowest in the world. If monetary encouragement leads to stable population growth, it’s worth exploring. However, this must go hand in hand with stronger social support systems.”
On the other hand, critics argue that the policy could encourage irresponsible behavior, exploit vulnerable women, and distract from the need for systemic reforms in education, employment, and healthcare.
Maria Petrova, a student activist from St. Petersburg, voiced her concerns:
“This is a deeply patriarchal and short-sighted policy. Instead of empowering young women with better education and career opportunities, the government is effectively pushing them toward early motherhood under financial pressure.”
Experts Urge for Caution and Comprehensive Support
Global human rights organizations and educational bodies have also weighed in, urging the Russian government to ensure that the program does not violate academic freedoms or reproductive rights. Several have called for complementary investments in child care, housing, maternal healthcare, and postnatal support to avoid turning the cash reward into a hollow gesture.
“There is a real risk that this program could incentivize pregnancies without safeguarding the long-term wellbeing of the mother or child,” warned Dr. Yulia Antonova, a public health researcher based in London.
Meanwhile, some economists are questioning the fiscal sustainability of such incentives. With Russia facing sanctions, inflation, and a stagnating economy, the long-term feasibility of mass-scale incentives remains uncertain.
A Part of a Broader Strategy?
President Putin’s administration has in the past introduced various schemes aimed at boosting birth rates, including tax breaks, maternity capital payments, and housing subsidies for families with two or more children. However, this latest move represents a more targeted, and arguably provocative, approach aimed at Russia’s youth.
Some analysts speculate that this initiative could be politically motivated, aimed at shoring up nationalist sentiment and reinforcing traditional values in the lead-up to future elections.
The Road Ahead
While it remains to be seen whether the pregnancy incentive for students will achieve its intended outcome, one thing is certain: the policy has succeeded in thrusting the issue of Russia’s demographic crisis into the spotlight. Whether this approach leads to genuine population growth or social controversy will largely depend on its implementation, oversight, and the inclusion of broader social welfare measures.
In the coming months, educational institutions, health departments, and student unions will play a key role in navigating the ethical, cultural, and operational complexities of this new initiative. The world will be watching closely as Russia embarks on this deeply polarizing experiment in state-sponsored fertility.
