Russia's birth rate has reached its lowest point in 25 years and President Vladimir Putin 's government has proposed an idea to boost it. The lawmakers are advising youngsters to have sex during breaks at work.

Reports say the Russian government is encouraging its citizens to engage in sexual intercourse during lunch and coffee breaks to increase the current birth rate of 1.5. A rate of 2.1 children per woman is required to replace the existing population.

As part of the initiative, free fertility checks for women aged 18 to 40 are reportedly being offered along with financial incentives for young mothers.

"The preservation of the Russian people is our highest national priority," said President Putin, per Metro. "The fate of Russia depends on how many of us there will be," he added calling it a question of national importance.

Additionally, Russia's health minister Dr. Yevgeny Shestopalov said that avoiding procreation because one is busy at work is "a lame excuse."

"You can engage in procreation during breaks, because life flies by too quickly," he reportedly said.

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As of June 2024, only 6 percent of child births as compared to 2023 were recorded, according to data by Rosstat. The number in the first half of this year was 98,600 as compared to 5,99,600 during the same period in 2023.

The Russian government, as part of the childbirth incentivization policy, has announced that it will provide $1,100 (approximately Rs 91,000) to women who would give birth to a healthy baby in the Karelia region. But the mother must be under 25 years of age and a full-time student at a local university or college.

Another region Chelyabinsk is reportedly paying women under 24 years of age $11,230 or approximately Rs 9.5 lakh for having a baby. Apart from these measures, the government is also limiting access to abortions.

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