The head of the State Duma Committee for the Protection of the Family, Nina Ostanina, has proposed a novel approach to tackle Russia's demographic crisis through a 'special demographic operation.' In a recent interview at the Eastern Economic Forum, she emphasized the urgent need for structured demographic policies, akin to military operations, to stimulate population growth, particularly in the Far East region. Ostanina's initiative aims to bolster support for young families and large families, drawing inspiration from Sakhalin's successful admission policies for children from larger households.
During the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum, President Vladimir Putin echoed these sentiments, asserting that 'population growth' is a primary indicator of the Far East's successful development. He highlighted the necessity of creating favorable conditions to encourage higher birth rates and attract young people to the region. In a significant move to support families, he ordered an increase in mortgage payment assistance for large families, raising the amount from 450,000 to 1 million rubles.
The demographic challenges facing Russia are profound, with experts estimating a loss of 500-600 thousand people annually, which poses a threat to national security. The Russian Academy of Sciences has previously underscored the need for a 'special demographic operation' to address this crisis. The government is targeting a total fertility rate increase to 1.6 by 2030 and 1.8 by 2036, with initiatives like the 'Family' project set to launch in 2025 aimed at improving the overall demographic situation and supporting large families.
