Russia’s population declined from 145.2 million in 2002 to 142.9 million in 2010, a report released by the statistical agency, Rosstat on Friday reads.
In 83 of Russia’s subjects the number of citizens went down. The largest decline in population was in Magadan (14 %), while the Barents regions of the Republic of Komi and Murmansk Oblast are also high on the list with 11.5 percent and 11 percent respectively. The two largest towns in the Barents Region, Arkhangelsk and Murmansk, now have a population of 348 700 and 307 700 respectively.
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20 of the Russian subjects have had an increase in population, first of all the big cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Russia also fell from number seven to number eight on the list over the countries with highest population. China, India, U.S.A., Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan and Bangladesh all have larger populations than Russia.
Low birthrates and declining life expectancy have had the most effect on Russia’s heartland rural areas, with 8,500 villages said to be have been abandoned since 2002.
The new data also suggests that there are now 10.7 million more women than there are men - up from 10 million in 2002. The population’s average age is now hovering around 39 years - again up from 37.7 in 2002.
A sociological survey from June 2011 shows that one fifth of the Russian population are potential emigrants, and that the largest emigration potential is among Russia’s younger age group between 18 and 24 years and among those with higher education.
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