Vladimir Putin asks Russian women to have "8 or more" children

• Image Credit: Google

• Dec 2, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Vladimir Putin's remarks are being linked to the Ukraine War in which Russia has suffered a high number of casualties...

Digital Desk: Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on women in the country to embrace larger families, advocating for as many as eight children to reverse the nation's declining birth rate. Speaking at the World Russian People's Council in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin emphasized the importance of making large families the norm, addressing concerns about the dwindling population since the 1990s.

In his address via video link on November 28, Putin remarked, "Let us preserve and revive these excellent traditions. Large families must become the norm, a way of life for all Russia's people. The family is not just the foundation of the state and society; it is a spiritual phenomenon, a source of morality."

Highlighting the historical significance of multigenerational families, Putin acknowledged the traditions of having four, five, or even more children. He urged the nation to adopt and prioritize such family structures, emphasizing their role as the cornerstone of both the state and society.

The initiative to boost Russia's population comes at a crucial time, with the country facing challenges on multiple fronts. The Independent reported that Russia has suffered over 300,000 casualties since the start of the Ukraine War in February last year. While Putin did not directly address the conflict's impact, many outlets have linked his call for larger families to address the demographic consequences of the war.

The conference, organized by the head of Russia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, brought together representatives from various traditional organizations in Russia. Putin's full speech has been uploaded to the official Russian President's website.

Russia is currently grappling with a workforce shortage and economic slowdown, exacerbated by Western sanctions in response to the Ukraine War. The UK's defense ministry estimates the death toll in Ukraine to have surpassed 300,000, with an additional 820,000–920,000 people reportedly fleeing the country, according to an independent Russian policy group, Re:Russia.

As of January 1, 2023, Russia's population stood at 146,447,424, a decline from the figures reported in 1999 when Putin assumed the presidency. Putin emphasized that preserving and increasing the population is a long-term goal, representing the future of the Russian world.