02 December 2003 01:07
Russia faces major population decline - Labor Ministry
MOSCOW. Dec 2 (Interfax) - Russia's population will decrease at an annual rate of 600,000-800,000 people over
the next few years, Labor Minister Alexander Pochinok told the Federation Council on Tuesday.
The population will continue to decline despite the recent baby boom, which was caused by the improved situation in
the country and an increase in living standards, Pochinok said.
This eliminates the problem of reducing the number of public sector workers, he said. An estimated 2 million public
sector workers will reach retirement age by 2007, and only 1.2-1.3 million people will be available to replace them.
"We will not reduce the number of jobs in the public sector; it will decrease itself," Pochinok said.
The demographic situation necessitates the creation of new forms of budget establishments, for example, a school that
also serves as a club and a gym, Pochinok said. [RU EEU EUROPE ASIA EMRG POL] av tl <>
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