Vladimir Putin has a unique strategy to fight Russia’s declining birth rate: fuck during lunch. The Russian President says that citizens should be getting it on during coffee or lunch breaks for the good of the country.


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“The preservation of the Russian people is our highest national priority,” Putin reportedly told the media. “The fate of Russia … depends on how many of us there will be. It is a question of national importance.”

Russia’s current fertility rate is below 1.5 children per woman, and it has recorded its lowest birth rate in 25 years in the first six months of 2024. In June, the number of baby deliveries fell below 100,000 for the first time ever.


Putin’s Health Minister, Dr. Yevgeny Shestopalov, echoed the sentiment, telling Russians that they “can engage in procreation during breaks.”

“Being very busy at work is not a valid reason, but a lame excuse,” Shestopalov said.



The idea of a president ordering their constituents to head to pound town during lunch may seem absurd, but this is hardly the first time that a country has tried to get people in the mood for some government-sanctioned love-making. In fact, as birth rates have declined across the globe, plenty of countries have tried to incentivize procreating.


Singapore Is Literally Paying People to Have Babies


Singapore Is Literally Paying People to Have Babies

You know what’s better than being ordered by your president to squeeze in some intercourse during your lunch break? A whole lot of cash. And Singapore is putting its money where its mouth is with the Baby Bonus Scheme.


According to the Central Provident Fund Board, Singaporeans can receive $11,000 in cash for their first and second child, and $13,000 for any child after that. And the money doesn’t stop coming once you’ve given birth either. Parents will receive up to $9,000 over the first 18 months, followed by $400 every six months until your child turns six-and-a-half years old. That’s a nice little chunk of change.


South Korea Has Government-Sanctioned Blind Dating


The lowest birth rate in the world belongs to South Korea, and the country’s marriage rate has also declined. The situation has gotten so dire that the government is just trying to get people to start going on dates so that it may one day lead to kids being born.


The city of Seongnam began offering blind-dating events last year, hoping that the promise of food, drinks and games would be enough to entice folks who are single and ready to mingle. 


Japan Is Desperate to Get Citizens to Start Having Kids


The birth rate in Japan has continued to tank, reaching a record low in 2023. While the economy in Japan remains strong, the government knows that an aging population with a shrinking birth rate is a lethal combination.


So, the Japanese government has rolled out a plan to spend 5.3 trillion yen ($34 billion) annually in order to provide incentives for would-be parents, including affordable childcare, a monthly allowance after the child is born and expanded parental leave.


Italy Launched an Ad Campaign Begging People to Have Sex


Back in 2016, the Italian government hoped to get people to engage in some amore-making with its inaugural “Fertility Day.” The buildup to the holiday included a massive (and divisive) ad campaign that included a photo of a woman holding up an hourglass and touching her belly with the caption: “Beauty doesn’t have an age. Fertility has.”


As far as I can tell, Fertility Day proved to be a one-time thing rather than a beloved annual holiday alongside Halloween and Christmas.





Hungarians Can Earn $30,000 for Having Three Kids


The government in Hungary has come up with a two-step approach to get people married and having babies. First, newlyweds are eligible for a $30,000 loan when they tie the knot. Pretty sweet, but Hungary is taking it one step further, as the loan will be completely forgiven if the couple has three kids.