Russia expands pronatalist spending to counter demographic decline

The Kremlin is scaling up its 'Family' project with massive funding—by 2030 equivalent to about two of Ukraine's annual budgets—offering cash incentives for childbirth and expanding benefits for large families, including support for pregnant students. This marks an intensification of Russia's state-driven pronatalist campaign amid a deepening demographic crisis worsened by war losses and emigration. The scale of spending signals a strategic priority, but effectiveness remains uncertain given structural and social factors.