Russian population

Russia's population decline is accelerating, according to the country's official statistics agency.

As per the figures submitted, about 100 people are dying in Russia every hour. At this rate Russia will soon top the list of nations having maximum death rates. This issue has got the international attention. United Nations has warned that Russian population would diminish to one-third by the middle of this century. Only economic growth and improved living standards could reverse the slump. But on the views of economists, Russia always had its problem with low birth rate and its current economical status has added its part to the problem, thereby declining any possibility of improvement.

Most regions have reported more deaths than births this year. Poverty factor is moving in rapid pace as number of indigent Russians nearly doubled in recent years. Statistically, a baby boy born in Russia today is unlikely to see his 16th birthday a shocking figure says. Moreover, he is likely to die from lifestyle-related diseases considered preventable in the West. Such shocking figures exposed the present condition of Russia and thereby again increasing the agony. Eventhough such news appear to be complicated with long term trends, Russians say they could see the decline.

For politicians, such outbreaks are due to the political and social ideologies they have followed recently. After the segmentation, the diastrous collapse has started to show its true nature by throwing away millions of Russians into poverty. But many western demographers say there is no specifically Russian phenomenon, just a continuation of trends that began in the country in the 1960s. Perhaps, these demographers are showing their wiser mind at the time of crisis. But their thoughts cannot be omitted as a whole, as they have estimated a gap in terms of life-expectancies 40 years ago.

Solutions !!

Many solutions to the problem have been proposed, ranging from family-friendly tax breaks to legalising polygamy. Large-scale immigration, touted as a solution to decline workforces in western nations, would be unacceptable to most Russians. Instead, bodies like the World Health Organization and the UN have called on the Russian government to take the problem more seriously. They stress that a number of simple, if unpopular, measures, such as putting up the price of alcohol or forcing people to wear seatbelts, might make a lasting difference.

Compare the situation with nations like India, who are seriously facing the problem of population raise. But the reason remains same, political and social ideologies. Some lessons have to be learnt, as same reason causes two diverse effects.