Matvienko called the Council on Demographic Policy a think tank

The Presidential Council on Demographic Policy will become a "think tank", which will include scientists and representatives of the regions. This was announced by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko at a briefing on December 12.

"It will be a council that will consist of specialists, demographers, scientists, experts, naturally, representatives of the regions in order for it to become such a think tank to analyze where we are, what we need to really do, what steps to take to improve the situation," she said.

Matvienko also noted that it is necessary to conduct thorough sociological research in this area. In addition, it is necessary to monitor the implementation of the demographic policy strategy.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to create a Council for the implementation of demographic and family policy. The corresponding decree was posted on December 9 on the portal of official publication of legal acts. Valentina Matvienko was appointed the chairman of the Council on demographic and family policy.

In July, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted during a meeting with participants of the Festival of New Media that the average birth rate in Russia was at 1.4. He emphasized that this is comparable to European countries and Japan, and said that the government is doing a great job and implementing a whole set of measures to improve the situation.