In Russia, they want to prepare children for large families starting in kindergarten
Vadim Shumkov, governor of the Kurgan Region, stated that children in Russia should be prepared, starting in kindergarten, to raise large families. According to him, boys should be taught that they are destined to become the heads of large families in the future, while girls should be taught about motherhood and the value of having many children.
Vadim Shumkov, Governor of the Kurgan Region, proposed starting to talk to Russian children about large families as early as kindergarten. According to Shumkov, boys in kindergarten should be told that in the future they are expected to become heads of large families. “You should explain to a boy that he is a future husband and will definitely be the head of a large family with many children,” the governor said.
Separately, he suggested talking to girls about future motherhood and the value of a large family. At the same time, according to Shumkov, this kind of upbringing should not be limited to kindergarten. He believes that such efforts should continue in schools and universities.
The governor also criticized what he calls “consumer society.” In his view, people who are accustomed to this lifestyle may perceive children as an obstacle to consumption. This is not Shumkov’s first statement of this kind. He has previously spoken about the need to change Russians’ attitudes toward having children and called for a “reboot” of the media agenda.
In 2024, the governor stated that in order to increase the birth rate, it is necessary to change people’s perceptions of family and children. Among the key factors, he cited faith, traditions, a home of one’s own, and confidence in the future.
The birth rate in Russia continues to fall
Shumkov’s latest statements came amid a prolonged decline in the number of births in Russia. According to demographer Alexei Raksha, approximately 272,000 children were born in Russia in the first quarter of 2026. This is about 6% less than during the same period in 2025, when approximately 289,000 children were born. According to Raksha, the country’s birth rate has been declining for the 11th consecutive year. He also described the first-quarter 2026 figure as the lowest in over two centuries.
Against this backdrop, Russian authorities have repeatedly urged citizens to have more children. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also spoken publicly about the need to increase the birth rate and support large families. At the same time, the Russian government is promoting a policy it calls support for “traditional family values.” These measures include family support programs, restrictions on access to abortion in a number of regions, and a state-sponsored campaign promoting large families.
At the same time, the demographic indicators themselves do not yet show a reversal of the trend. Even according to estimates provided by Russian demographers and statistical agencies, the number of births remains low. Thus, Shumkov’s proposal effectively entails extending the demographic campaign all the way down to the kindergarten level. The governor believes that the concept of a large family should be instilled in children from an early age, and this effort should then continue in schools and universities. His remarks were quoted by Ura.ru.
