THE IMPACT OF POSTPONING MARRIAGE ON THE BIRTH RATE IN RUSSIA (BASED ON CENSUS DATA)
Alexander B. Sinelnikov1,2, Olga A. Zolotareva2,3, Vera M. Karpova4
1Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
2Scientific Research Institute for Socio-Economic Statistics of the Federal State Statistics Service, Moscow, Russian Federation
3MIREA - Russian Technological University, Moscow, Russian Federation
4Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population, Moscow, Russian Federation
Keywords: married, never married, postponing marriage, final celibacy, childlessness, average number of children born, generations, demographic policy
Abstract
The effectiveness of demographic policy in Russia is decreasing due to the fact that the state helps married couples who already have at least one child, but does not stimulate marriage. The average number of children among married mothers has increased somewhat. But this positive trend was offset by the mass postponement of marriage, which led to an increase in the proportion of unmarried and childless people. It is necessary to develop housing construction programs intended not only for sale, but also for rent, so that spouses can live separately from their parents immediately after the wedding. This can contribute to an earlier first marriage and the birth of first children. In addition, the media and educational institutions should form social norms in Russian society according to which it is better to have a friendly, albeit poor, family with children than to be rich but single or childless.
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