Nations Scramble to Combat Plummeting Birthrates with Unusual Solutions, Russia Leads with "Sex-at-Work" Initiative

Dozens of countries across the developed world are experiencing plummeting birthrates, leading countries to introduce wacky measures to encourage people to get busy.

As birthrates plunge across developed nations, governments are implementing unconventional strategies to encourage population growth. From Italy’s “Fertility Day” to Singapore’s quirky rap campaigns, countries are trying to spark a baby boom. But Russia has taken a more direct approach.

Faced with a declining population, exacerbated by war and emigration, President Vladimir Putin has reportedly urged citizens to use their lunch breaks for a patriotic duty—boosting the nation’s birthrate. A “sex-at-work” initiative has been rolled out to address Russia’s demographic crisis, with the birthrate currently at 1.5 children per woman—far below the 2.1 rate needed for population stability.

Putin has called the issue a “national priority,” stressing that Russia’s future depends on reversing this trend. Health Minister Dr. Yevgeny Shestopalov echoed this sentiment, saying busy work schedules are no excuse for neglecting family expansion.

Some countries, like Italy, have introduced their own national “fertility day” on September 22.

The situation is dire: Russia recorded its lowest birthrate in decades in 2024, with fewer than 100,000 births in June alone. The first half of 2024 saw 16,000 fewer births compared to the same period in 2023, with only 599,600 children born, according to Rosstat, the country’s statistics service.

Russia is not alone in facing demographic decline. Countries like Thailand, Japan, and South Korea are also grappling with shrinking populations and aging workforces. Thailand’s population is predicted to halve from 66 million to 33 million in the next 60 years, posing severe economic and security risks. Japan, which saw fewer than 760,000 births in 2023—the lowest since records began in 1899—has warned that the next six years may be its “last chance” to reverse the trend.

Governments are rushing to implement measures before it’s too late, but many experts agree: time is running out to avert the economic and social consequences of declining populations.