Part 4/11:
Economics play a crucial role in the demographic equation. When the economy suffers, people are less inclined to start families. The post-Soviet economic turmoil of the 1990s saw birth rates plummet to among the lowest globally, exacerbated by rising abortion rates. Although initiatives such as maternity capital were introduced under President Vladimir Putin to incentivize higher birth rates, efforts had limited success, particularly in urban areas with higher living costs.