Mumbai, November 9: Russia is reportedly considering forming a "Ministry of Sex" to counter the declining birth rates. Facing its lowest birth rate since 1999, Russia is grappling with a demographic crisis exacerbated by the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Kremlin officials have labelled the situation “catastrophic” and are considering a range of measures to reverse the trend.

Among the more unconventional proposals is the formation of a “ministry of sex,” as reported by Mirror. This initiative aims to boost birth rates through various incentives and policies, including shutting down the internet and switching off lights between 10 PM and 2 AM to encourage intimacy. 'Sex at Work' Plan for Russians: Vladimir Putin Wants Citizens To Engage in Intimate Relations During Breaks in Offices, Know Why.

'Ministry of Sex' Among Proposals to Combat Declining Birth Rates

Other proposals under review include paying a ‘salary’ to stay-at-home mothers, funding wedding-night hotel stays, and even covering the costs of first dates to foster relationships. These measures are part of a broader “special demographic operation” to incentivise parenthood and collect extensive data on potential parents.

Russia Battered With Demographic Crisis

According to Rosstat, only 599,600 children were born in the first half of 2024, a decrease of 16,000 from the same period in 2023. Concurrently, the country recorded 325,100 deaths, 49,000 more than the previous year, leading to a sharp population decline. Vladimir Putin Urges Russian Women to Have 'Seven, Eight or More' Children, Promises State Support for 'Motherhood': Report.

Despite the grim statistics, there was a 20.1% increase in migrants between January and June, providing a slight offset to the population decline. However, the overall demographic outlook remains a significant concern for Russian authorities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 09, 2024 08:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).