Russia Pays for Babies

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(Moscow, Russia) Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that paying for babies is effective in easing demographic problems.

‘There has been a positive effect,’ Putin told an audience of European health and social policy officials, noting that 1.7 million babies were born in Russia in 2008, a seven percent increase from the year before.

‘This was partly the result of measures to stimulate the birthrate that were undertaken in recent years, such as substantial increases in family benefits and the introduction of special payments for women who give birth to two or more children,’ he said.

Putin also noted that ‘practically all the countries of Europe are dealing with demographic problems,’ speaking at a conference organised by the Council of Europe.

The going rate is 250,000 rubles ($7,000) per child.