MOSCOW — A prominent Russian demographer has called for an end to the country's streamlined online divorce process, arguing that making breakups too easy undermines efforts to bolster family stability and population growth amid a looming demographic crisis.
Natalya Moskvitina, deputy head of the Public Chamber’s Demography Commission, voiced her concerns in an interview with RIA-Novosti on Friday, emphasizing that the state should prioritize preserving marriages rather than facilitating their dissolution through digital means. Since 2022, Russian citizens without underage children and mutual agreement on the split have been able to file for divorce via the government's Gosuslugi platform from their smartphones, a convenience Moskvitina now deems overly simplistic.
“When it comes to divorces, it is absolutely wrong to simplify the process and make it a formality. It’s wrong to do it through Gosuslugi,” Moskvitina said. She advocated redirecting the platform's resources toward family support, suggesting it could connect couples in distress with professional help to reconcile.
Under her proposal, if a married couple experiences a conflict, they could access Gosuslugi to schedule a video call with a psychologist, mediator, or lawyer, with assistance provided within hours. This shift, Moskvitina argued, aligns with the state's broader mission to encourage childbearing and sustain family units, especially as Russia grapples with declining birth rates.
Her remarks come at a time when Russian lawmakers and experts are increasingly focused on demographic challenges. According to the state statistics agency Rosstat, the country's population is projected to shrink from 146 million to 138 million by 2046, driven by low fertility rates and other factors. The agency forecasts continued declines in births over the coming years, prompting government initiatives to promote family formation and retention.
Moskvitina's call has garnered support from at least one prominent figure in Russian politics. Lawmaker Vitaly Milonov, known for his conservative views on social issues, endorsed the idea in comments to the broadcaster 360. “In times of crisis, one shouldn’t just destroy relationships, but try to find ways to fix them. In many cases, people just need to be provided with help, instead of immediately deciding to divorce,” Milonov said.
The online divorce option was introduced as part of Russia's digitalization push to make public services more accessible. However, critics like Moskvitina contend that it has inadvertently contributed to a culture of impulsiveness in marital decisions. While the process requires mutual consent and excludes families with minors — who must go through courts — it has processed thousands of cases since its launch.
Recent data offers a mixed picture on divorce trends. According to Tass, which reviewed court files last November, the number of divorces in families with children has dropped 30% over the past two years. In the first half of 2025, 163,000 couples applied to terminate their marriages, down from 204,000 in the same period of 2023. These figures suggest some stabilization, but demographers warn that overall marriage dissolution rates remain high relative to births.
Russia's demographic woes are not new. The country has long faced a fertility rate below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, hovering around 1.5 in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue, with births falling sharply in 2020 and 2021. In response, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly urged measures to support families, including generous maternity capital payments and extended parental leave.
Moskvitina's proposal fits into this narrative, positioning technology as a tool for family preservation rather than separation. She highlighted the potential for Gosuslugi to serve as a one-stop hub for marital counseling, drawing on Russia's existing network of family support centers. Experts in the field have noted that early intervention can significantly reduce divorce rates, with studies showing that couples who seek mediation often reconcile.
Yet, not all voices in Russia agree on complicating divorce procedures. Some legal experts have praised the online system for reducing bureaucratic hurdles and court backlogs, particularly for amicable separations. In a separate report from earlier this year, the Ministry of Digital Development defended the platform's role in modernizing services, though it has not directly addressed the demography commission's critique.
The debate underscores broader tensions in Russian society between modernization and traditional values. While urban couples increasingly value convenience in personal matters, conservative factions push for policies that reinforce the family as the cornerstone of national strength. Milonov's support signals potential political momentum, as he has a history of advocating for legislation on family issues, including restrictions on abortion and promotion of large families.
Looking ahead, it's unclear whether Moskvitina's suggestions will lead to legislative changes. The Public Chamber, where she serves, acts as an advisory body to the government, and its recommendations have influenced policy in the past. However, any overhaul of the Gosuslugi divorce feature would require coordination between the digital ministry, justice officials, and lawmakers.
The implications extend beyond individual couples to Russia's future. With an aging population and labor shortages looming, preserving families could help stem the tide of decline. Rosstat's projections paint a stark picture: without interventions, the workforce could shrink by millions, straining pension systems and economic growth.
As discussions continue, Moskvitina's voice adds urgency to the conversation. By reframing online tools from enablers of divorce to bridges for reconciliation, she hopes to foster a cultural shift toward enduring partnerships. For now, the 163,000 couples who sought separation in early 2025 serve as a reminder of the scale at stake.
In Moscow, where many of these policy debates unfold, the push for family-centric reforms reflects a national priority. Whether through video calls or other means, the goal remains clear: to build a Russia where families not only form but flourish amid demographic headwinds.