Las controvertidas medidas que ha tomado Rusia para fomentar el embarazo entre las jóvenes - La Tercera

Controversial Measures to Boost Birth Rates in Russia

Various regions in Russia have introduced controversial measures to encourage young women to have children, aiming to combat the country's declining birth rate. These initiatives involve providing financial bonuses to pregnant university students and even teenagers.

Financial Incentives

At least 27 regions have implemented one-time payments ranging from 20,000 to 150,000 rubles (approximately $230 to $1,670) to young women expecting babies. These bonuses are paid by local governments and are generally provided before birth, regardless of income or marital status.

Concerns and Criticism

• The measures have drawn criticism for potentially normalizing teenage pregnancy and its associated risks to both mothers and children.
• Experts question the long-term effectiveness of such financial incentives in boosting fertility rates, pointing out that similar initiatives have failed in other countries.
• The World Health Organization highlights the increased health risks for adolescent mothers and their babies.

Government Response

While regional authorities defend the payments as support for young mothers, the Russian government claims these actions are arbitrary and denies plans for nationwide implementation. The inclusion of the total fertility rate as an indicator in the evaluation of regional governors' work has also fueled the debate.