Childless Women in Russia Now Required to Attend Mandatory Psychological Counseling.

Compulsory Sessions with Psychologists

According to TSN.ua: Russian authorities are making it mandatory for women who do not intend to have children to attend psychological counseling sessions. This move comes as the country faces a record-low fertility rate of just 1.4 children per woman—far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. For context, Russia's demographic challenges have been a growing concern for years, with the government seeking various interventions to reverse the trend.

President Vladimir Putin recently voiced alarm over the worsening demographic situation, stating that "the state must create conditions so that young people seek the 'joy of motherhood.'" However, even he acknowledged that "the measures taken by the authorities have not yielded the expected results."

Financial Incentives for Pregnant Women

Starting March 1, 2026, Russia plans to introduce payments of 100,000 rubles for pregnant schoolgirls and university students. These financial incentives are designed to encourage younger generations to have children and improve the country's demographic outlook.

These initiatives are part of a broader government strategy to boost birth rates. Given the severity of the fertility crisis, the introduction of mandatory psychological consultations may represent an attempt to understand why young people are reluctant to have children. Such measures also signal a growing willingness by the state to intervene in citizens' private lives to address social issues.

Both steps underscore deep anxiety over Russia's demographic future and the urgent need to find effective solutions to ensure population stability.