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Reports indicate Vladimir Putin is contemplating a novel scheme aimed at addressing Russia’s population decline: offering Russian workers one week of paid leave annually specifically for procreation. This “demographic week” proposal, put forth by Kremlin-aligned MP Georgy Arapov, seeks to boost fertility rates and fulfill the Russian President’s objective of reversing the nation’s dwindling population. The proposal aims to incentivize couples and aid the nation’s demographic trends.
Kremlin Considers “Procreation Leave” to Reverse Population Decline
The Kremlin’s labor ministry is understood to be examining this “sex week” concept, as Russia seeks to elevate its fertility rate amid ongoing casualties in Ukraine. Arapov, the nation’s youngest MP at 25, stated: “For numerous citizens, this would represent a valuable chance to pause, relax, recover from stress, and attain the internal state that medical professionals and psychologists deem optimal for deciding to have a child. For single individuals interested in establishing a family, such a week could be utilized to meet others and cultivate serious relationships.”
Falling Fertility Rates Spark Innovative Solutions
Arapov, who has requested the Kremlin’s labor minister to conduct a feasibility assessment of the proposition, noted that Russia’s fertility rate has declined to 1.41 children per woman.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is a factor, with the UK’s estimates suggesting Russia has incurred over 950,000 casualties.
However, Putin’s supporters have presented alternative solutions to address the demographic challenges, without mentioning the war in Ukraine as a contributing factor to the declining birth rates.
Other Proposals to Improve Russia’s Demographic Crisis
In a separate development, a pro-Putin archpriest presented his own recommendation to address the low fertility rates.
Andrei Tkachev, a 55-year-old Orthodox cleric, suggested instituting a tax on men who have not fathered children, stating: “A childlessness tax should not be substantial, but it should carry a symbolic weight, stigmatizing individuals, like ‘Why haven’t you fathered a single child by 40?'”
He questioned: “Who are these men, aged 40 and without a single child – what are they?”
“They belong to some unique category of human drones…didn’t you ever know a woman, have you never been intimate with a woman in 40 years of your existence?”
- “And if you’ve had numerous women, why haven’t you married even one of them?”
- “Why hasn’t any given birth for you?”
- “Why haven’t you assumed responsibility for them? Why haven’t you become a father and husband?”
“You’ve merely slept with them, and lived like a drone!”
Additional Suggestions and Regional Initiatives
He continued his tirade, questioning if men who reach the age of 45 without children are “castrated” or “unwell.”
Putin’s desire to reverse Russia’s decreasing birthrate has inspired numerous unconventional proposals, including establishing a Ministry of Sex to oversee various initiatives.
One concept proposed was to cut off internet access and turn off lights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. to encourage sexual activity among couples.
Another idea involved the state funding first dates, up to a value of £40.
Many Russian regions are developing their independent plans to motivate couples to have children.
In the Khabarovsk region, female students aged 18-23 are set to receive £900 upon the birth of a child under a new initiative. Students in Chelyabinsk can receive £8,500 upon the birth of their first child.