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The number of abortions in Russia has decreased by more than 3.5 times over the past decade, according to data released by the Health Ministry on Tuesday. Officials have linked the trend to policy measures, including financial incentives for families, restrictions on abortion, and support for larger households and regional cooperation aimed at improving birth rates in the country.
Elena Sheshko, Director of the Department of Medical Care for Children, Maternity Services, and Public Health at the Health Ministry, stated that “Over the past ten years, we have seen a more than 3.5-fold reduction in the number of abortions. This is a key factor in supporting birth rates,” she said.
Abortions in Russia remain legal and are available on request up to the 12th week of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical and social reasons. However, the government has implemented measures to discourage the procedure, including mandatory waiting periods and counselling. Lawmakers have proposed additional policies, such as requiring private clinics to report abortion statistics and integrating abortion procedures into the Mandatory Health Insurance system to improve oversight. Some politicians have suggested further restrictions, but proposals for an outright ban have not gained significant traction.
Russia has introduced financial support programs for families, including lump-sum payments for childbirth and expanded maternity benefits while the government has also revived the Soviet-era “Mother Heroine” award, which provides financial incentives for women who have given birth or raised ten or more children. Additionally, officials have discussed policies such as restricting the promotion of so-called ‘child-free’ lifestyles and potential tax incentives for families with multiple children.
Late last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin also emphasized the importance of increasing birth rates, stating that it is “an extremely important matter” and one of the “key issues for Russia.” In order to reach the replacement fertility rate, “we need 2.1 children per woman, and at least 2.3 for our population to grow.” Currently, Russia’s fertility rate stands at 1.41 children per woman.
“We are developing a system that encompasses healthcare, childhood, and maternity, and we will continue to do everything to improve these programs,” Putin said, outlining the measures taken by the Russian government to reverse the trend.
