The Russian State Duma has passed a law banning the promotion of a child-free lifestyle in all media forms, including films, advertisements, and social media posts.
Those who break the new rule face hefty fines—up to €4,000—with civil servants risking double that amount if they advocate for childlessness. This legislation is part of the Kremlin’s ongoing effort to promote “traditional family values” and curb Russia’s “catastrophic” population decline, as described by officials.
Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin emphasized the goal: shaping a generation that prioritizes family life. Social media platforms and mainstream media outlets must now monitor and filter any pro-childless content to ensure compliance with this new regulation.
The urgency behind these measures stems from Russia’s low birth rate and demographic concerns. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, stressed the need to boost the birth rate, calling it a national priority. U.N. projections hint that Russia’s population could shrink by 17% over the next half-century, with one analysis predicting it might halve by 2100.
The Duma also expanded its restrictions on foreign adoptions of Russian children. Under the new rules, adoption is now prohibited by citizens of countries where gender reassignment is permitted. Volodin stressed this policy is crucial to protect Russian children from exposure to gender-altering practices. This amendment adds to restrictions introduced in 2012 that banned U.S. adoptions, with the new law now affecting around 15 mostly European countries
