To Raise Birth Rates in Russia, Days Off and Prizes to Procreate

Here’s an example of innovative policy to address Russia’s depopulation problem:

Moscow – A Russian region of Ulyanovsk has found a novel way to fight the nation’s birth-rate crisis: It has declared Sept. 12 the Day of Conception and for the third year running is giving couples time off from work to procreate. The hope is for a brood of babies exactly nine months later on Russia’s national day. Couples who “give birth to a patriot” during the June 12 festivities win money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes. … Ulyanovsk Gov. Sergei Morozov has added an element of fun to the national campaign. The 2007 grand prize went to Irina and Andrei Kartuzov, who received a UAZ-Patriot, a sport utility vehicle. Other contestants won video cameras, TVs, refrigerators and washing machines.

Get pregnant in Russia in time for national day, and this UAZ-Patriot could be yours! (please note that this photo has nothing to do with the news story – it just features a similar vehicle)