Moscow, June 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian families who produce three or more children can get free land from the government.

 
 President Dmitry Medvedev has signed an amendment to the country's land laws, the Kremlin said Thursday.
 
 "Citizens with three or more children will be granted free parcels of land held in state and municipal property, including for the purpose of individual housing construction," a statement said.
 
 The step is aimed at reversing a severe population fall in Russia.
 
 "Caring for the future generation is the most reliable, intelligent and noble investment," Medvedev has said. He also described the sliding population as "the most acute problem" facing Russia.
 
 Russia's population peaked in the early 1990s -- at 148 million people. It now stands at 143 million. Experts fear it will plunge to 111 million by 2050.