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Putin's Controversial Plan to Combat Russia's Demographic Crisis

3/19/2026

49 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a demographic crisis by requiring doctors to ask women about desired children.
If a woman opts for none, she will be referred to a psychologist.
The policy responds to a birth rate of 1.4 children per woman, a 200-year low.
The Kremlin warns of extinction without increased birth rates.
Russia tightened abortion laws and banned 'child-free propaganda,' promoting large families with financial incentives.

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Story summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a demographic crisis by requiring doctors to ask women about desired children.
If a woman opts for none, she will be referred to a psychologist.
The policy responds to a birth rate of 1.4 children per woman, a 200-year low.
The Kremlin warns of extinction without increased birth rates.
Russia tightened abortion laws and banned 'child-free propaganda,' promoting large families with financial incentives.