Russia may soon establish a “Ministry of Sex” as a radical response to its sharply declining birth rate, a move reportedly aimed at boosting the country's population amidst ongoing challenges from the war in Ukraine. Nina Ostanina, a loyalist of President Vladimir Putin and chair of Russia’s Family Protection Committee, is considering a public petition advocating for the ministry, which would lead initiatives to encourage population growth through a range of state-backed measures.

The proposed ministry follows a suite of unconventional measures from Russian officials aimed at spurring a demographic revival. These ideas include monetary incentives for first dates, financial support for couples to spend intimate time together, and government-sponsored hotel stays for newlyweds on their wedding nights. The government has even suggested compensating stay-at-home mothers for housework, including these duties in their pension contributions.

Regional initiatives have also emerged, with female students in Khabarovsk receiving a bonus of £900 ($1,162) upon the birth of a child, while students in Chelyabinsk are granted £8,500 ($10,979) for the birth of their first child. Additionally, regional health minister Yevgeny Shestopalov proposed that Russians take advantage of coffee and lunch breaks for "procreation."

However, not all feedback has been positive. Some women in Moscow report intrusive questioning about their reproductive health, including intimate inquiries about sex and menstruation. Authorities have intensified scrutiny of women’s reproductive choices, sparking controversy about the boundaries of public and private life.

While Putin has championed financial incentives as a means to raise the birth rate, some experts believe more is needed to address the root issues. Demographer Anatoly Vishnevsky suggested that financial incentives alone may not reverse the trend, as the current political and economic environment dissuades many Russians from having children. With limited access to essential services, fewer job opportunities, and an increasingly uncertain future, many citizens feel hesitant to start or expand their families.

With ongoing war losses, emigration, and demographic challenges, Russia’s ambitious plans to establish a Ministry of Sex signal an intensified effort to address its growing population crisis—though whether these measures will succeed remains to be seen.