Why Russia Is Paying Schoolgirls To Have Babies

In some parts of Russia, schoolgirls who become pregnant are being paid more than 100,000 roubles (nearly $1,200) for giving birth and raising their babies. This new measure, introduced in the past few months across ten regions, is part of Russia’s new demographic strategy, widening the policy adopted in March 2025 which only applied to adult women. It is designed to address the dramatic decline in the country’s birthrate.