Speaking of Russian birth rates, I remember hearing something on the news not too long ago about a new holiday in Russia called Conception Day.

The government gave people a paid day off work to stay home and get pregnant, because of worries over the declining birth rates there, as you mention above.

Let me see if I can find something about that...

ABC News: Russia: Make Love, Have Baby, Get Money
Russia marks Day of Conception - Russia - MSNBC.com

There does seem to be a trend, and I don't have actual data for this, that says, the wealthier and more educated you are, the fewer children you are likely to have.

This is obviously pretty dangerous for the long-term prospects of any society.