Do pro-natalist policies reverse depopulation in Russia?

Most the the former Eastern bloc nations have aging, declining populations due to decades of low fertility rates. A long-term fertility rate lower than replacement level (2.1 children per woman) means each generation is smaller than the last, precipitating unsustainable population decline. In 2007, Russia implemented a family policy reform that created financial incentives for child rearing. These policies introduced a 'baby bonus' or 'maternity capital' for every child produced. The policies also created more generous maternity-leave benefits for women with multiple children. Using data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (2001-2011) and a binary choice model of childbearing, this paper found that the probability of a second birth increased 2.2% due to the 2007 policy changes. Therefore, Russian fertility policies offer a potential solution to population aging and decline.