Russia will refer women who do not want to have children to psychologists under new health guidelines aimed at tackling what authorities describe as a worsening demographic crisis.

The country’s falling birth rate has remained a major concern for President Vladimir Putin throughout his 25-year rule. The situation has deteriorated further as Moscow has deployed hundreds of thousands of young men to fight in Ukraine over the past four years.

Under the new reproductive health guidelines issued by the health ministry, doctors are required to ask women how many children they intend to have.

If the response is zero, “it is recommended to send the patient to a consultation with a medical psychologist with the goal of forming a positive attitude towards having children.”

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Although the recommendations were approved in late February, state media only began reporting them this week.

In recent years, Moscow has introduced stricter abortion regulations and passed legislation banning what it describes as “child-free propaganda.”

The government continues to promote large families as a patriotic ideal, offering financial incentives and social benefits to encourage higher birth rates.(AFP)