Graves of the Russian occupiers. Photo: argumentua.
In Russia, against the backdrop of catastrophic losses in the war with Ukraine and a deep demographic crisis, the State Duma has passed a law prohibiting the promotion of a childless lifestyle. This step, which reflects the helplessness and desire of the authorities to cover up their failures, has received a wide response, TimeUkraineIsrael portal reports with reference to Israelinfo.
Why was this law passed?
According to the new law, the ideology of childlessness, which is allegedly spreading in society, is a “threat to traditional values” in Russia. According to the lawmakers, propagandists of this lifestyle create “conditions for depopulation” by trying to persuade citizens to refuse to have children. At the same time, the country, which is experiencing the largest demographic crisis in its history, continues to avoid responsibility for its own policies that have led to this situation.
The Russian authorities blame this not on their aggression in the international arena, but on those who speak out in favour of childlessness. It is important to note that the war itself, the falling economy, the rapid growth of poverty, and social and political isolation have not been properly assessed by the country’s leadership, which prefers to focus on external enemies rather than internal problems.
Fines and an unclear legal framework
According to the new legislation, propaganda of childlessness is subject to enormous fines: up to 400,000 rubles for individuals, up to 800,000 for officials, and up to 5 million for legal entities. At the same time, the law itself is formulated in such a way that it can be applied to absolutely everyone, as it does not clearly define what exactly is considered propaganda.
Interestingly, one of the initiators of the law, refuting the concerns of citizens, explained that “there will be no punishment for statements that take place in the kitchen or in a smoking room”, as well as for manifestos that are not published. In other words, if law enforcement officers find illegal childlessness propaganda in the form of a manuscript, they will not be able to impose punishment, provided that this material has not been publicly distributed.
Demographic crisis and the role of the government
The passage of this law is part of a larger picture where Russia is struggling with a deep demographic crisis without admitting its mistakes. In July 2023, the Kremlin acknowledged for the first time that the country is experiencing a demographic catastrophe that threatens the future of the nation. According to Rosstat, the fertility rate in Russia in 2023 was only 1.41 children per woman, which is critically low. This is significantly lower than the European average of 1.53, and also much lower than in France, where the rate reached 1.84. At the same time, in Israel, the rate is 2.9 children per woman.
Historical parallels and a sense of hopelessness
Back in the early 2000s, Russia had a fairly high birth rate, which was associated with an economic boom. But now the country is once again facing a demographic hole, largely as a result of economic policies, military aggression and social problems. The fertility rate, which stood at 1.76 in the mid-2010s, is now rapidly approaching the catastrophic levels of the late 1990s.
The adoption of the law banning the promotion of a childless lifestyle is a clear example of how the Russian authorities are looking for “internal enemies” to divert attention from real problems. Legislators continue to fight fictitious threats, ignoring the real challenges facing the country. In the face of a demographic crisis, war and social inequality, Russia chooses high-profile laws that only worsen the situation instead of real reforms.
