Russia may consider a ”childless tax” to combat declining birthrate

Russia's total fertility rate hit a record low of 1.5 in 2021, and the population decline is becoming more serious. The government is considering various policies to raise the birth rate, but some
There is also a proposal to revive the ``childless tax'' that was implemented during the former Soviet Union. The Russian daily Kommersant reported on the 4th (local time) that House of Deputies member Yevgeny Petrov said on a radio broadcast, ``(Former Soviet Union)
It would also be a good idea to introduce a tax on childless women,'' he said. Congressman Petrov argued, ``If there is a lack of funds to promote the birthrate, we should introduce taxes.''
It's not a punishment, it's a way to solve a problem." The former Soviet Union enacted a childless tax in November 1941 as its population declined sharply during World War II. This is 2 without children
It imposed a 6% wage on men aged 0 to 50 and married women aged 20 to 45, and was abolished in the 1990s. According to the World Bank, Russia's total fertility rate (15-49 per woman)
The average number of children expected to be born during this period fell from 1.8 in 2016 to 1.5 in 2021. Although this is a high level compared to countries such as South Korea (0.7 people), the situation in Russia is critical.
The number of children born this year is estimated at 1,245,000, the lowest level since 1999 (1,215,000), and the number is expected to continue decreasing.
In August, President Putin said, ``Large families must become the standard of life for the Russian people.
'', indicating a policy to strengthen policies to encourage childbirth. As part of this, a bill banning abortion is also being discussed.