By Our Correspondent
National News – The Russian government has introduced new reproductive health guidelines that recommend referring women who say they do not want children to psychologists.
The move is part of a broader strategy by authorities to tackle the country’s declining population and encourage higher birth rates.
Under the new policy approved by the health ministry in late February, doctors conducting routine reproductive health checks will ask women about their future family plans.
If a woman indicates she does not intend to have children, medical professionals are advised to recommend a consultation with a psychologist.
The consultation is aimed at helping the patient develop what officials describe as a more positive attitude toward motherhood.
The measure comes amid growing concern over Russia’s worsening demographic crisis.
The country’s birth rate has fallen to around 1.4 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population level.
Experts say the trend threatens long-term economic stability, workforce sustainability, and national development.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned about the demographic challenge, describing the shrinking population as a serious national issue.
In recent years, the Russian government has rolled out several initiatives designed to encourage larger families, including financial incentives, social benefits, and national recognition for families with multiple children.
Officials argue that promoting childbirth is essential for the country’s future.
However, critics say the new psychological referral policy may raise questions about personal freedom and reproductive choice.
The demographic pressure has intensified following the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, which has seen hundreds of thousands of young Russian men mobilised for military operations over the past four years.
Analysts believe this has further strained the country’s population growth.
To address the crisis, authorities have also tightened abortion regulations and introduced laws banning what they call “child-free propaganda.”
At the same time, government programs now provide financial support, housing assistance, and other incentives to encourage couples to have more children.
Russian officials say these steps are necessary to reverse the country’s historic population decline and secure long-term demographic stability.
