The birth rate in rural areas of Russia has fallen to a 35-year low
Despite Putin’s calls for a revival of large families, the demographic situation in rural regions of the Russian Federation continues to deteriorate.
According to Rosstat, the total fertility rate in rural areas fell to 1.464 children per woman by the end of 2025—the lowest figure in the last 35 years.
The highest birth rates were recorded in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (2.751), the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (2.619), and the Republic of Tuva (2.526). The lowest rates were in the Leningrad Oblast (0.833) and Mordovia (0.855).
Experts note that since 2014, the birth rate in Russian villages has been steadily declining. The peak was in 1990—2.6 children per woman.
Demographer Alexei Raksha estimates that the decline has been ongoing for the eleventh consecutive year. According to his calculations, 272,000 children were born in Russia in the first quarter of 2026—6% fewer than during the same period last year.
Compared to the first quarter of 2021, the number of births fell by 12.5%, and compared to 2014—by 38%.
Analysts point out that one of the main reasons for the decline in the birth rate is the economic pressure on young families, for whom having children significantly reduces their income.
Despite multi-billion-dollar government programs, the natural population decline in Russia amounted to about 4 million people between 2018 and 2024.
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