Perm, Russia—To support the families of soldiers participating in Moscow’s war against Ukraine, the regional authorities of Perm in the Ural Mountains have announced a one-time lump sum payment for every newborn child of a soldier.
Regional governor Dmitry Makhonin made the announcement on Wednesday via Telegram, citing strong public demand for enhanced social support measures.
The payment will amount to 128,000 rubles (approximately $1,500) for each child born after January 1, 2024.
“We’ll provide a one-time cash payment to the spouse of the special military operation participant upon the birth of a child,” Makhonin stated, highlighting the regional government’s commitment to supporting military families.
This initiative comes as part of broader efforts by the Russian government to address the country’s declining birthrate, which has been exacerbated by the loss of tens of thousands of men in the ongoing conflict and a significant emigration of Russian citizens.
President Vladimir Putin has been at the forefront of these efforts, having earlier declared 2024 as “the year of a family.” His administration is focused on increasing state support for young mothers and encouraging higher birth rates.
The Perm region’s announcement is in line with this national strategy. In January, Putin pledged to introduce various measures to support families and young mothers as part of his campaign to reverse the demographic decline.
This has included proposals to enhance maternity benefits, improve childcare facilities, and provide additional financial incentives for families.
Despite these efforts, Russia continues to face a demographic crisis. The birth rate remains significantly below the death rate, and various social and economic challenges have compounded the issue.
The Perm region’s lump sum payment is one of several measures being tested at the regional level to address this critical issue.
In addition to financial incentives, the Russian government has made several controversial proposals aimed at boosting the birth rate. Among these are calls from officials to ban abortion and the Justice Ministry’s push to outlaw “childfree ideology.”
These measures have sparked considerable debate and concern among human rights advocates and women’s rights groups.
Governor Makhonin’s announcement has been received with mixed reactions. While some view the payment as a necessary support for military families, others argue that it may not be sufficient to address the deeper socio-economic issues contributing to the low birth rate.
Critics also highlight that financial incentives alone may not be enough to persuade couples to have more children, given the uncertainties and challenges faced by families in contemporary Russia.
As Russia grapples with its demographic crisis, the government continues to explore and implement a variety of strategies to encourage higher birth rates.
The success of these initiatives remains to be seen, as the country navigates the complexities of economic, social, and political pressures.
The Perm region’s initiative is a clear indication of the urgent need to support families, particularly those affected by the ongoing conflict. As the situation develops, it will be critical to monitor the impact of these measures on Russia’s demographic trends and the well-being of its citizens.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members