President Vladimir Putin stated during his annual year-end press conference that Russia's birth rate coefficient stands at 1.4 children per woman, calling for measures to raise it to at least 2.0, Yakutia 24 and Izvestia reported on December 19.

Russia is confronting a deepening demographic crisis as its birth rate continues to fall. The decline is part of the lingering effects of economic insecurity, high emigration, and shifting social norms that have discouraged family formation. Combined with increased mortality, particularly among working-age men, the trend poses long-term challenges to Russia’s labour force, economic growth, and military capacity. 

Putin put dealing with Russia's demographic problem at the core of his presidency, and he is still working on it 20 years later. In his first State of the Nation speech in 2000, he highlighted demographics as the number one priority.

Putin said that the demographic issue concerns all countries with post-industrial development. In some states, the situation is "dramatically" worse. He pointed out that Japan's total fertility rate remains at 0.8, whilst South Korea's has dropped to 0.7.

"We also have a slight decline - approximately 1.4. We need to achieve at least 2.0. It needs to become fashionable, so people understand what the happiness of motherhood and fatherhood means," Putin said during the "Year in Review" event.

The president stressed that families should not experience a decline in living standards with the arrival of a child. He noted that many demographic issues are connected to material circumstances.

"The level of prosperity is extremely important for family formation, and authorities are doing everything possible to improve this sphere. Career growth is undoubtedly important, but we must make the happiness of motherhood and fatherhood fashionable," he said.

Putin claimed that 25 Russian regions have already shown positive demographic trends; however, data to verify his claims were not readily available.

The Russian president identified measures to support young people's willingness to start families, including support for family mortgages and raising the status of the "mother heroine" title.

The 2025 direct line with the president was combined with a press conference for media. The format, called "Year in Review with Vladimir Putin," allows the head of state to convey his position not only on citizens' questions but also on state and global agendas often raised by journalists.

The direct line has been held since 2001. This marks the fourth time the event has been conducted in a combined format with a major press conference.

Putin previously stated that Russia, like many developed countries, faces the problem of declining birth rates. The situation has been exacerbated by "demographic pits," with indicators affected by the "echo" of war and the 1990s crisis.

According to data from the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), the country recorded 1.222mn births in 2024, the lowest figure since 1999. The number represents a one-third decline from 2014 and reflects a global trend in both developed and developing countries towards sub-replacement fertility rates.

To counter the decline, Russia has introduced a number of incentives, including lump-sum payments at childbirth, extended maternity benefits, and regular financial support for families with children. The government has also revived the Soviet-era “Mother Heroine” title, which includes a cash award for women with more than ten children.