Chapter of the HRC on the problem of demography in Russia: There is not even an understanding of what is happening

Experts do not have an understanding of what to do with the problem of demography in Russia, but it cannot be solved by the influx of migrants. This opinion was expressed by the head of the Presidential Council for Human Rights Valery Fadeev in an interview with KP.

Fadeev noted that he had gathered leading experts several times, but had not heard any concrete proposals from them.

"There is not even an understanding of what is happening," he stated.

According to him, in the early 2000s, demographers looked at the situation pessimistically. Then the birth rate increased from 1.3 to 1.8 children per woman, which was largely facilitated by maternity capital. However, in 2015, after reaching the maximum, a sharp decline followed.

"I asked demographers: What happened? Explain the reason for the reversal. In response, I heard only general words about the "second demographic transition" — allegedly because we live better," said Fadeev.

At the same time, he called the idea of solving the demographic problem at the expense of migrants "absurd."

"We don't just need a lot of people, we need full—fledged citizens of Russia," he stressed.

Separately, he commented on proposals to restrict abortions, calling them ineffective.

"You can't force a woman to give birth. If abortion is banned in one region, she will go to another. It's not done that way. Children are the maximum happiness, and prohibitions are on the side of evil," he said.

According to him, such initiatives are not a state position, but a "hype of individual politicians."