Russian women say Nyet to children
by Michael Cook, Mercator:
The world’s population is becoming greyer, getting sicker, and growing fewer. Fertility rates are falling far below replacement level. Nearly everyone is alarmed by this, apart from a few ZPG ninjas. The proportion of Japanese over 65 in 2050 will be about 40 percent. In China, that figure will be about 30 percent; in Germany, about 30 percent; in Iran, about 25 percent; in the United States, about 20 percent; and in Russia, about 25 percent.
A high proportion of elderly means fewer taxpayers, fewer innovators, more dependents, and bigger healthcare bills. There will be shortages of workers and – this must be giving generals everywhere nightmares – soldiers.
So governments are experimenting with schemes to boost the number of babies. There have been all sorts: subsidized IVF, baby bonuses, generous parental leave, and awards for fertile mothers. Singapore even experimented with a government dating service.
None of these carrots has worked.
So Russia is trying a stick
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