Political Debate Over Maternity Capital and Birth Tourism
The Kremlin’s press secretary indicated that there has been no discussion about removing maternity capital for Russian mothers who give birth abroad. This clarification arrived amid controversy sparked by a State Duma deputy’s proposals. Vitaly Milonov, a deputy from United Russia, suggested depriving some families of maternity capital if their children were born outside Russia, labeling mothers who travel abroad as lacking social responsibility. Following his remarks, several colleagues echoed similar ideas.
When asked about the Kremlin’s position on granting maternity capital to women who gave birth overseas, Dmitry Peskov replied that such a topic has not been under consideration. This statement frames the issue as not being on the current government agenda.
On February 11, Milonov told Moskva Speaks that withholding social programs from mothers who depart the country could deter foreign births and curb the number of “birth tourists.” He argued that while a mother can choose where to give birth, the state’s aid should not follow her abroad. He also criticized those who claim the right to dual citizenship as a factor in their decisions, suggesting that restrictions could be applied to such cases.
Discussion Within Parliament on Maternity Capital
A similar stance emerged on February 15 from Alexei Zhuravlev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. Zhuravlev contended that Russians who abandon their homeland or take advantage of loopholes should not receive main capital within Russia. He argued that maternity capital exists to stabilize the demographic situation, not to fund counterproductive moves from citizens who seek to leave the country. He called for closing what he described as a legislative loophole that allowed these women to obtain payments. He suggested that such births could be supported in other countries where Russian citizens pursue opportunities, but not through Russian welfare measures.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin later asked for a public check on whether maternity capital should be extended to those who have given birth abroad or who obtain another citizenship. He conducted a Telegram poll among Russian women asking whether their actions were appropriate for the country. The response showed strong counterpoints, with the majority indicating disapproval.
Tatyana Butskaya, the first deputy chair of the Duma Committee on Family, Women and Children, stated in Moscow interviews that bans cannot fully resolve the issue. She noted restrictions in travel that can limit medical events, but she emphasized that decisions about family life remain personal. She recalled that births abroad have long been a point of discussion and that travel for childbirth has historically persisted, regardless of policy debates.
Birth Tourism and International Trends
The debate intensified after six Russian women in late pregnancy were denied entry to Argentina for not clarifying the purpose of their trip. Local authorities labeled the arrivals as birth tourism attempts, and preparations were made to manage the arrivals more strictly. Officials later allowed entry, noting the complexity of travel timing and the lack of return tickets as warning signs of tourism rather than genuine visits. Argentina’s immigration authorities observed that newborns gain citizenship and those born in the country may pursue residency and citizenship pathways for their families.
Data from early 2023 indicated a surge in Russian maternity travel to Argentina, with reports suggesting thousands of Russians moved to Argentina during the prior year, many of them anticipating birth. The Russian embassy’s consular chief in Argentina commented that a significant portion of these migrants were women about to give birth, and he warned that numbers could rise further in the following year. By 2022, several thousand Russian pregnant women had entered Argentina, with many returning home after birth while seeking citizenship documentation for their children. In response, Argentine authorities decided to suspend residence permits for those who obtained status through birth yet did not stay in the country.
Meanwhile, Russia extended its maternity capital program through 2026, with the Ministry of Labor detailing the payment amounts for first and second children in the coming years. This policy update underscores the government’s continued focus on supporting families and managing demographic trends amid ongoing debates about birth tourism and citizenship.
Sources note that the broader conversation about maternity capital and international birth events is shaped by policy shifts, public sentiment, and cross-border legal frameworks. The tension between supporting families and ensuring national interests remains a central theme in discussions within Russia and among neighboring states, influencing both domestic politics and international perceptions. As the debate evolves, observers watch how lawmakers propose to balance welfare programs with concerns about migration and dual citizenship, and how these proposals might affect real families in the years ahead. [CITATION: Policy summaries, parliamentary records, and regional reporting provide context for these developments.]