Putin says Russia's birth rate not among worst, cites post-90s recovery experience

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova stated that the demographic situation in Russia is difficult but remains under control during a working trip to the Sverdlovsk region. She emphasized that increasing the population is one of the main national goals set by Vladimir Putin. Golikova noted that the Sverdlovsk region's total fertility rate exceeds other Russian regions by 7%, and stressed the importance of increasing birth rates and the number of large families alongside infrastructure development. Her remarks were reported by TASS. Earlier, academician Gennady Onishchenko said the average age for Russian women having their first child is about 30 years, compared to 34 in Europe, attributing this to modern living conditions. Additionally, Russian fathers may be officially allowed to take leave after a child's birth.