Analysts Doubt Putin's Payouts Will Avert Population Slump

[TomSea]

Analysts Doubt Putin's Payouts Will Avert Population Slump
Tom Balmforth

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn't formally said he will stand for reelection in March, but his campaign appeared well under way this week as he unveiled a new monthly payout for firstborn babies.

Addressing a Kremlin council tasked with implementing a five-year National Children's Strategy, Putin said Russia's demographic situation is again worsening and ordered measures to prevent population decline in the coming decade.

Putin said Russia would start paying the parents of firstborn children an allowance of around $180 a month for 18 months, starting on January 1, a measure that will cost an estimated 145 billion rubles over three years. He also ordered that state allowances he introduced for mothers who have more than two children be extended until 2021.

Continued at: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-putin-firstborn-allowance-population-slump/28886749.html