Russia's fertility crisis deepens as birth rates hit 20-year low in 2025
Russia’s fertility rate has hit its lowest point in nearly two decades, dropping to 1.36 in 2025. Experts point to a mix of economic pressures, technological shifts, and changing social attitudes as key factors behind the decline. Meanwhile, officials are debating drastic measures to reverse the trend, from restricting media to offering incentives for larger families. The decline in birth rates has sparked concern among policymakers. In Sverdlovsk Oblast, private clinics recently halted all non-medically necessary abortions, a move seen as part of broader efforts to boost demographics. Some lawmakers have even suggested banning erotic media or granting early prison releases to inmates who have children.
Researchers highlight different causes for the falling fertility rate. Demographer Igor Yefremov links the trend to financial struggles, housing shortages, and the rising cost of living. Igor Golubchenko, another expert, argues that smartphones and social media reflect deeper societal changes, such as growing individualism and shifting family dynamics. Meanwhile, Lyman Stone suggests that social media has altered relationship expectations, making it harder for couples to start families.
Technology’s role in the decline remains debated. A study from the University of Cincinnati found that the spread of 4G networks reduced face-to-face interactions, possibly contributing to lower birth rates. Yet Jesús Fernández-Villaverde notes that fertility rates were already dropping long before smartphones became common. Despite this, digital habits are now deeply embedded in Russian life, with 86% of the population using social media and messaging apps daily—especially among younger people.
Attitudes toward technology vary across the country. While 58% of Russians claim they could live without their smartphones, only 42% of residents in Moscow and St. Petersburg feel the same way, indicating a stronger dependence in urban areas. Russia’s fertility crisis continues to deepen, with economic, social, and technological factors all playing a part. As officials explore controversial solutions, experts stress that no single cause explains the decline. The challenge now lies in addressing the complex mix of pressures shaping family life across the country.
