24 August 2003 11:49
RUSSIA: POPULATION CONTINUES TO DECLINE...
Russia's population dropped by 454,200 during the first half of 2003 to 144.5 million, ITAR-TASS reported on 21
August, citing the State Statistics Committee. The agency noted that the birthrate lagged behind the death rate. The
death rate overall rose by a factor of 1.7, while the number of deaths in some regions jumped by a factor of 2-3.
Migration increased by 1.2 percent compared with the first half of 2002. "Politburo," No. 26, argued that
Russia's main demographic problem is not the low birthrate -- which is common in modern, developed countries -- but
the high adult death rate. JAC Copyright (c) 2003. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
