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A Russian baby-boom

Photo: Barentsphoto.com

Birth rates in Russia are up 11,5 percent year-on-year the first four months of 2008. The figures indicate more spending power and a brighter view on the future among Russians.

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However, the long-term perspectives for demography in Russia still look gloomy, experts say.

According to the Russian Social Insurance Fund, the number of children born so far this year amounts to 493 thousands, which is up more than 50,000 from the same period last year.

Also the number of families with more than one child is growing rapidly, newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reports. The newspaper sees the growing birth figures as a stable tendency.

The number of children born in 2007 was the highest for more than 15 year. Another record is expected to be beaten this year.

However, demographers say that the positive trend will not last for long. Already in few years, the number of children born in Russia will again drop and new measures will have to be taken to prevent a serious demographic crisis.

Read also:

New demographic crisis coming up in Russia BarentsObserver, 29 April 2008

Photo: Barentsphoto.com