Vladislav Davankov, the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, proposed a new concessional mortgage program aimed at young Russian families who have not yet welcomed a first child. He communicated the idea in a letter to Tatyana Golikova, the deputy head of the Russian Federation, with coverage from TASS noting the initiative.
In his note, Davankov outlined state support for a down payment on a mortgage for young couples who marry before the age of 27, along with subsidies for mortgage interest after the birth of the first and second child, reducing rates by up to 4% and 2% per year respectively. He also suggested that after the birth of a third child, the main mortgage debt could be written off using budget funds.
The deputy envisions the program under the banner of “Happy Family.” Its long-term goals include lowering the average age of marriage to 25–27, raising the age at which families have their first child to 27–28, and boosting the share of larger families where parents are around 30 years old. The draft document lists not only concessional mortgages but a broader set of supportive measures.
Among the other proposed actions are a substantial expansion of perinatal centers and antenatal clinics, free psychological counseling services for families during the first five years of marriage, and the inclusion of men’s reproductive health services in the compulsory health insurance program and related initiatives.
The vice president argued that such a package could lift the total fertility rate to between 1.8 and 2.0 births per woman of reproductive age, while also contributing to a reduction in divorce rates during the first five years of marriage. He expressed the belief that these steps would have a lasting positive impact on family formation and childbearing patterns in the country.
There is a note referencing how similar incentives have been used in other countries, including an example from China where couples married before the age of 25 received certain supports. This reference is included to illustrate potential policy effects and the kinds of outcomes governments sometimes pursue when aiming to encourage earlier family formation and higher birth rates.
The overall aim behind Davankov’s proposal is to create a supportive framework that makes family-building financially feasible for younger couples, while also addressing broader social services that influence reproductive choices. The plan stresses the importance of stable housing, affordable child care, accessible health services, and counseling that helps families navigate the challenges of childbearing and parenting.