Russia defies tradition: Marriage rates hit 18‑year low

The Moscow Times reports a declining trend in forming the basic social unit in the Russian Federation. Citizens are not eager to exchange vows and place rings on their partner's fingers in an official ceremony.

Since 2014, the number of marriages in Russia has been steadily decreasing. This decline may be related to the annexation of Crimea and the introduction of Western sanctions, which have led to a decrease in real income.

The report notes that from 2006 to 2013, the years for which reliable statistics are available, between 1.1 and 1.3 million marriages were conducted annually. In 2016, this number fell to 985,000.

Last year, only 945,000 couples took marriage vows. This trend does not align with the Kremlin's programmatic objectives.

A decrease in the number of births is also observed, with 2023 figures one-third lower than in 2014. The government's expectations are vastly different.

At the end of last year, Vladimir Putin urged citizens to form families with 7–8 children, aiming for a conscious return to the traditions of ancient Rus.

Putin stated that having large families should become the norm and way of life for Russians. In January, he expanded his appeal by emphasizing the necessity of forming families at the earliest possible age. In June, he reiterated that nothing is more important for the state than strengthening the family.

In response to concerns about a potential decline in population to levels noted in the late 19th century, the Kremlin initiated a national project called "Demography." The authorities hope that through significant investments, the fertility rate will increase to 1.6 children per woman by 2030.