A viral claim has shocked many: Russia is offering ₹1 lakh to young girls to give birth. The internet is buzzing with reactions some outraged, some amused. But how much of this is true?
Yes, the Russian government does provide financial aid to women who choose to have children. This is part of its Maternity Capital program, introduced to fight the country’s falling birth rate. But it is not targeted at young girls as some headlines suggest.
The scheme offers around 500,000 Russian Rubles (approx. ₹4–5 lakh) to women after the birth of their second or third child. However, the money is not handed out in cash. It must be used for specific purposes like housing, education, or pension contributions.
President Vladimir Putin has openly expressed concern over Russia’s shrinking population. Policies like this aim to boost the number of families and secure the country’s future workforce. While some analysts link it to long-term military strength, there is no official link between childbirth incentives and military recruitment.
The claim that underage girls are being paid to have babies is misleading. Russian laws still require the legal age for childbirth and marriage. There is no government policy that promotes underage pregnancy.
So while the core of the story is true–Russia is encouraging childbirth through money, the details are often twisted online.
It’s a case where a serious social policy gets turned into viral clickbait.
