The article represents a speech made by Professor A.I. Antonov at the Rhodes Forum “The World on the brink of a global collapse” on October 11, 2015 (Plenary Session “Family values as a basis for development of human civilization”).

This article discusses changes in the institution of family and the birth rate in our country in the context of global trends. With the strengthening of attitudes on one child the family with several children depreciates. It leads to the loss of attractiveness of family-children lifestyle in comparison with single-bachelor existence.

The article analyzes trends and causes of the fertility decline in the intercensal period of 2002–2010 and temporary increase of the total birth rate in 2007–2014 from 1,3 to 1,7 children per woman due to improving implementation conditions of the existing need of the family mainly for two children by increasing child allowances and introducing “maternity capital”. The article discusses objectives and means of enhancing familydemographic state policy in connection with the upcoming in 2015–2025 reduction in reproductive 18–34 years old cohorts and continuing attenuation of family need for children and decrease of individual reproductive values.