Russians spent a record 19.3 billion rubles ($211 million) on contraceptives in the first half of 2024, the Vedomosti business daily reported Friday, citing market research.
The new data, gathered by pharmaceutical market research company DSM Group, compares to 16.7 billion rubles spent on condoms and birth control pills during the same period last year.
Major pharmacy chains in Russia, as surveyed by Vedomosti, confirmed that their contraception sales rose by as much as 25% in the first half of 2024.
Pharmacies linked the uptick in spending on contraceptives to Russians increasingly putting off starting a family amid economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions.
Analysts said growing sexual health awareness, including avoiding undesired pregnancies and diseases, also likely played a role in the increased spending.
However, contraception sales may decrease in the second half of 2024 because of the public’s “improving mood,” RNC Pharma’s director of development Nikolai Bespalov told Vedomosti.
The report comes as authorities in Russia prepare to introduce “family studies” electives for secondary school students in the upcoming academic year, seeking to promote marriage and large families as part of broader efforts to address the country’s demographic decline.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
