November 6, 2008
Increased birth rate not enough to reverse declining Russian population
While Russia’s birth rate is up, the national population continues to decline. More Russians are still departing the nation than new ones are being born, with no improvements in mortality rates. Whatever economic improvements have been made, many Russians still seek their fortunes elsewhere.
Some 141.9 million permanently resided in Russia as of September 1, i.e. 116,700 less than early this year, Rosstat reported Friday.
“The reduction in population size was caused by the natural loss of the population, which lowered by 76,200 on year in January through August. The increased migration inflow of 58.4 percent set off the loss,” Rosstat specified.
The rate of birth grew in all constituents of Russia but for the Nizhni Novgorod Region and Chukotka, and the death rate stepped up in 45 constituents. In the country in general, the death rate exceeded the birth rate 1.3 fold, matching the indicator of January through August of 2007. Seven constituents of Russia had the excess of 2 fold to 2.4 fold, according to Rosstat. (Kommersant)