Baby bonus for students: Russia pays ₹81,000 as birth rates hit 25-year low

Russia has joined global efforts to combat the declining birth rate by introducing new financial incentives for young women. Female students in the Karelia region under the age of 25 will receive a lump sum of 100,000 rubles (about 81,000 rubles) for giving birth to a healthy child.

The initiative is part of Russia’s broader strategy to reverse its population decline, which has reached historic lows.

The new policy targets female students enrolled full-time at local universities or colleges in Karelia. However, it excludes mothers who have given birth to stillborn babies and raises questions about the eligibility of mothers of children with disabilities or sudden infant death syndrome. The policy also does not specify whether additional support will be provided for childcare or postpartum recovery.

The birth rate in Russia has reached a 25-year low. Only 599,600 babies were born in the first half of 2024, down 16,000 from the same period in 2023. The Kremlin called the situation “disastrous for the nation’s future.”

The Karelia program is one of many initiatives being rolled out across Russia. Cities like Tomsk and 11 other regional governments have launched similar incentives for young mothers. Nationally, maternity payments are planned to increase to 677,000 rubles (about $6,150). and second-time mothers 894,000 rubles (about $8,130).

Despite these measures, Russia’s demographic challenges persist. High adult mortality, emigration and the war in Ukraine have compounded the crisis. Critics argue that the government’s motivations do not address root causes such as economic instability, access to health care and public concerns about raising children in the current environment. :