The birth rate in Kazan has almost tripled in the last 15 years

(KZN.RU, July 31, Zilya Gayfi). A number of families, in which second, third, and fourth children appear, is growing in Kazan. According to the results for a six months period of this year, 45% of newborns in Kazan families were firstborns, and 55% – second and subsequent children. In general, the birth rate in Kazan exceeded the death rate by 1.5 times at the beginning of the year. Rimma Minnullina, the head of the Civil Registry Office of the city, spoke about the demographic results of the first half of 2017 today on the Business Monday in the Kazan City Hall.

According to her, over the past 10 years, Kazan families decided to have a third child twice as frequently. “In 2007, the number of first-borns was almost 62% of all newborns, and the number of third children increased from 5% to 9.9% over 10 years, that is, almost 2 times”, said Rimma Minnullina.

In total, 10527 children were registered in Kazan since the beginning of the year, most of them are boys. Kazan heads the list of other cities with a million population of the Volga Federal District (Ufa, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, and Perm) by the birth rate. Rimma Minnullina noted that the birth rate has almost tripled in the last 15 years.

At the same time, there is a decrease in the number of registered births by 11.9% compared to the same period last year. The head of the Civil Registry Office explains this by the fact that now a small generation of the 1990s enters into childbearing age.

Positive dynamics is also observed in the statistics of marriages. “During the first half of the year, 4161 marriages were registered, which is 1.2% more than in the same period last year. 2287 couples terminated their marriage, and the largest share of divorces still attributable to young families who lived together less than 5 years. The number of divorces decreased slightly compared to the same period last year”, said Rimma Minnullina.

The Kazan Civil Registry Office is conducting a purposeful campaign to reduce the number of divorces and stimulate the birth rate. Thus, thanks to the project “Save the family”, 78 couples came to reconciliation in half a year, 60 couples took back the previously submitted application for divorce, and 18 couples refused to apply for a divorce.

According to Rimma Minnullina, Kazan families are willingly involved in activities to promote family values, to celebrate Day of Family, Love, and Loyalty. Family anniversaries became a tradition. Also, solemn deliveries of passports to young Russian citizens are held every month with the invitation of married couples who have lived in marriage for decades. Conversations, trainings for both the newlyweds and for couples with significant family experience are systematically conducted. Projects “School of a Happy Family”, “The ABC of Family Longevity”, and the radio program “Family Affairs” are successfully operating.

Rimma Minnullina noted that preparations are currently under way for the solemn reception on behalf of the President of Tatarstan and his wife in honor of the best married couples of the republic who made a significant contribution to the development of the city and republic. It will traditionally take place in late August in the Kazan Kremlin. Also, it is planned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Civil Registry Office of Russia at the end of the year.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, noted that Kazan traditionally shows a positive dynamics in the birth rate. “The decrease in the birth rate was predictable. The consequences of the demographic “hole” of the 90s we waited a little earlier. But still, the birth rate is generally higher than in 2013. The diagram of comparisons with our neighbors Nizhny Novgorod, Ufa, Samara, and Perm suggests that the birth rate in Kazan is higher. This is one of the most important indicators of people well-being. It is important that all federal programs and republican projects, initiated by our President Rustam Minnikhanov, are working. They bring their results. People feel confident about the future and decide to have a second, third, and fourth child. The correlation of fertility and mortality is important. Positive dynamics has been preserved since 2009, and this is an important achievement”, said the Mayor.