Russia to refer women who don't want children to psychologists

Russia will refer women who do not want children to psychologists to counter a demographic crisis, according to new national guidelines reported by Swedish media. Doctors are to ask women how many children they want during health check-ups. A woman who answers zero is recommended to meet a psychologist to "shape a positive attitude towards having children," the guidelines reportedly state.

Russia's declining birth rate has long been a major concern for President Vladimir Putin, and the problem has reportedly worsened after Moscow sent hundreds of thousands of young men to the war in Ukraine. 1 that demographers say is necessary for a stable population.