The Russian population increased with 4600 people during the first eleven months of 2012. Although this may not sound like a very high number, it is a remarkable improvement compared to the first eleven months of 2011, when the country lost nearly 130 000 inhabitants.
79 of Russia’s 83 federal subjects experienced growth in birth rates last year. 17 of the regions had more than 8 percent growth in birth rates, RBC reports.
The highest growth in birth rates of all Russian regions is registered in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, where 16 percent more babies were born compared to the year before, N-west reports. The region also had the largest decline in infant mortality rate.
Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the sparsely populated northeastern corner of the Barents Region, is one of the wealthiest regions of Russia. The regional balance account for the first nine months of 2012 showed a surplus of a billion rubles (€24,5 million) and salaries are among the highest in the country.
The economy in Nenets is fueled by oil. Big oil. Revenues come from property tax and the regions production sharing agreement (PSA) for the Kharyaga oil field on the tundra.
