23 April 2026
Vladimir Putin’s calls for more children, abortion restrictions, and attempts to impose “traditional values” have failed to turn Russia from its demographic trough.
The number of births in Russia in 2026 fell for the 11th consecutive year, according to demographer Alexei Raksha. In the first quarter of 2026, according to his calculations, 272,000 babies were born—6% fewer than the year before. In the first quarter of 2025, this figure was 289,000, and, according to Raksha , the number of births was the lowest since the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
That same year, the “bottom” for more than 200 years was reached. Compared to the first quarter of pre-war 2021, the number of births fell by 12.5%, and compared to Russia’s record year of 2014, the decline reached 38%, according to Raksha’s calculations. Official demographic data in the Russian Federation has been classified since the spring of 2025: publication of birth, mortality, and even total population figures has ceased . The
latest available annual data from Rosstat (for 2024) showed that the number of births had fallen to 1.222 million children—the lowest since 1999, when the country was experiencing an economic crisis, rampant inflation, and the aftermath of the default. Last year, according to Raksha’s calculations, the number of births fell by another 4%, to 1.178 million, marking the lowest in the country’s modern history.
Contrary to the propaganda promoting large families, the total fertility rate (TFR), which reflects the average number of children per woman of childbearing age, is also declining. Last year, it was 1.418, according to Raksha’s estimates: 20% lower than the level of 10 years ago (1.777 in 2015).
Back in 2018, Putin set the goal of halting the natural population decline the country experienced shortly after the annexation of Crimea. But despite the 4 trillion-ruble “Demography” national project, Russia lost approximately 4 million people between 2018 and 2024 due to excess mortality over births.
In 2020, the Kremlin shifted the population target to 2030. And at the beginning of Putin’s sixth term, he commissioned a “family-centrism” demographic strategy . It calls for the country’s total fertility rate to increase to 1.6 by 2030 and 1.8 by 2036. This would be the highest level since the Soviet era: in 1990, the TFR was 1.89.
As part of the strategy, officials intend to strengthen the institution of family and marriage and promote “traditional family values.” Images of large families are planned to be incorporated into advertising and media content, and state awards will be introduced for grandparents with many grandchildren.
Really good news. This planet doesn’t need such filthy scum. The sooner they go extinct, the better it is for all.
Why wouldn’t a woman want to bring up a child in mafia land? Just think of all the fun it could have. Learn to kill Ukrainians, go outside and play in the trash, or take home a pet rat. The opportunities are endless. Then once you become a teenager, you’ll be introduced to vodka.
Almost as good as welcoming her son back home, stuffed in a black plastic bag, is watching him turn into a hopeless, piss-stained drunk, if he survives the war.
You forgot, live in povrty, get raped, beat, and most of all, free bags of onions!
Thanks for adding these points, Mike. 😄👍