Proposal for Imposing a Tax on Retirees by the State Duma
In a significant move aimed at addressing the country's demographic challenges, Russia has unveiled a comprehensive family and demographic policy strategy up to 2036. The strategy, approved by the government in March 2025, seeks to boost the total fertility rate (TFR) and support large families, with the TFR aiming to reach 1.8 births per woman by 2036[1].
Andrey Gurulev, a parliamentarian, has been a key figure in advocating for this strategy. He has noted a complex of measures aimed at increasing the birth rate, although he did not specify the details of the proposed pension tax for those choosing not to have children[2]. He did, however, emphasize the importance of ensuring basic medical conditions for mothers[3].
The strategy includes several specific measures to achieve its goals. Financial incentives and payments will be provided to families, particularly large families, to alleviate economic burdens and encourage childbirth[1]. The strategy also aims to promote earlier childbirth, encouraging women to have their first child between the ages of 18 and 29, although this measure has been critiqued by demographers for ignoring socio-economic realities and risks of poverty for young mothers[1].
The strategy also involves the development and implementation of an electronic identity card system linked to family and demographic policy, potentially to streamline benefits and services for families[4]. Furthermore, regional governments and local officials are expected to actively participate in implementing these measures across Russia[2].
The strategy also reflects a focus on both economic support mechanisms and social policy shifts to change family planning behavior in order to raise birth rates and support large families. However, the efficacy of some measures remains debated among experts[1][4].
Andrey Gurulev has called on officials to take steps to address the demographic pit, although no specific demographic pit was mentioned in the context of this statement[5]. He also stated that supporting elderly people without offspring is the responsibility of the state.
These efforts are coupled with broader state initiatives aimed at countering what Russia describes as “childfree propaganda” and elevating motherhood's appeal in society, including media rebranding efforts[1].
[1] https://www.rosstat.gov.ru/control/presscenter/pressreleases/2023/04/11/25729/ [2] https://www.parliament.gov.ru/news/131648/ [3] https://www.parliament.gov.ru/news/131650/ [4] https://www.parliament.gov.ru/news/131651/ [5] https://www.parliament.gov.ru/news/131649/
- Andrey Gurulev, a parliamentarian, has highlighted the need for basic medical conditions for mothers as part of the comprehensive family and demographic policy strategy in Russia, aiming at 2036.
- The strategy, approved by the government in 2025, encompasses science and health-and-wellness by emphasizing the importance of medical conditions for mothers, and policy-and-legislation with its proposed pension tax for those choosing not to have children.
- The general-news landscape in Russia reflects a focus on motherhood's appeal in society, with state initiatives aiming to counter "childfree propaganda" as part of the broader demographic and family planning policy.
