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Russian families with children face higher poverty risks despite government support

Preschoolers and teenagers push Russian families deeper into poverty. Can medals and cash incentives turn the tide for struggling parents?

This image consists of a poster with a few images of women and there is a text on it.
This image consists of a poster with a few images of women and there is a text on it.

Russian families with children face higher poverty risks despite government support

In Russia, households with children face varying risks of poverty, with those having preschoolers or teenagers being particularly vulnerable. The government, led by Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov, is implementing measures to boost birth rates and support families.

A recent study reveals that Russian families with children aged 0-6 are 1.3 times more likely to live in poverty, while those with teenagers (16-25) face a 1.4 times higher risk. The situation is most challenging for families with children aged 7-15, who are at a 1.8 times higher risk than the national average.

To tackle this, Minister Kotyakov has announced plans to boost birth rates and support traditional family values. The government is offering financial incentives, medals for multiple mothers, and even 'days of conception'. Simultaneously, they are funding programs for young people, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

Russians currently consider the poverty threshold to be around 48,000 rubles ($520) per month, a significant increase from 15,000 rubles a decade ago. Despite poverty levels falling from a peak of 28% in 2000 to 7.2% last year, the government is committed to further reducing these figures and supporting vulnerable families.

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