In Crimea, more than 1,200 fathers are on parental leave

In Crimea, now more than 1,200 men are on leave to care for a child up to one and a half years — in May 2026 there were 1,066 of them. The branch of the Social Fund of Russia in the Republic of Crimea monthly pays them a benefit in the amount of 40% of average earnings, reports “Crimean newspaper”.

Parental leave ceases to be exclusively a woman's prerogative. According to the Social Fund of Russia, if in 2021-2023 the total number of popes in the decree in the country was 30 thousand, then in 2025 this figure increased to 226 thousand.

In Crimea, the trend is also noticeable. The SFR Branch for the Republic of Crimea reported that now more than 1,200 Crimeans are on leave to care for a child up to a year and a half. In May 2026, there were 1,066 such men.

The regional office of the FIU pays them a monthly allowance of 40% of average earnings. Parents can work in a convenient schedule and continue to receive benefits until the child reaches the age of one and a half.

The period of child care is included in the seniority and affects the pension coefficient. Working fathers can arrange hospital care for the child under the same conditions as mothers.

Many payments, such as a one-time birth benefit, can be made by both mother and father. Fathers of children under 17 years of age are entitled to a single allowance and an annual family payment on an equal basis with mothers.

Pensioners raising minor children receive a pension supplement – a third of a fixed payment for each dependent (3,194.90 rubles in 2026).

A separate category are popes participating in a special military operation: additional support measures are provided for them and their families, including benefits when receiving a single allowance and accounting for periods of participation in a special operation in the insurance experience in double size.

Experts explain the increase in the number of men in the decree two factors. The first is economic: women have become more earning, so if the mother’s contribution to the family budget is higher, it is logical that she continues to work.

At the same time, from 2024, a parent can leave the holiday for a full day with the preservation of benefits - and it is more profitable to issue a decree on the one whose earnings are higher, regardless of who actually sits with the child.

The second factor is social: the average age of marriage is rising. In Crimea, it is 28 years in women and 34 years in men. People are starting a family more consciously - and future fathers increasingly understand why they are personally involved in childcare.

In September 2026, the lawyer explained that not only mothers, but also fathers, grandparents and other relatives who actually provide care have the right to parental leave. The employer is obliged to provide such leave, but only one person can issue it - the simultaneous registration of two leaves per child is not allowed by law.

The period of care is included in the length of service, but is not included in the length of service for early insurance pension. From January 1, 2026, Russia abolished restrictions on the inclusion of maternity leave in the insurance period: now the periods of care for each child up to one and a half years are counted in full, without restrictions on the total duration (previously - no more than six years in the aggregate).

In February 2026, the Simferopol Clinical Maternity Hospital No. 2 launched a pilot project "School of Responsible Paternity" - the first lesson was attended by seven future fathers who learned to hold the child in their arms, bathe him and help with colic.

In April 2026, Crimea approved a regional standard for supporting families with children, which, among other things, provides for additional days of leave at the birth of a child and other measures of support by employers.